Killing of three deer labelled a disgrace
THE Sports Coalition has labelled the killing of three deer used as part of a children’s Christmas display as ‘disgraceful’ and are calling on the full vigour of the law to be deployed in apprehending the culprits.
The three Sika deer (one male and two female) were being kept in a secure pen at Djouce Golf Club as part of ‘Santa’s Journey’, an event which brought children on a train ride through Santa’s magical kingdom, including a stop-off to visit his reindeer.
However, just before Christmas the deer were shot in their pen overnight and their carcasses removed. Blood was found on ground of the enclosure and a bullet was found lodged in a nearby tree. Gardaí are investigating.
Paul Walsh, Chairman of the Sports Coalition which represents sports shooters, hunters and anglers, has described the slaughter of the deer as ‘ the lowest of low acts perpetrated by heartless people who should be pursued to the bitter end.’
He has called on all hunters and members of the public who may know anything that could point to the perpetrators to immediately pass the information to the gardai.
‘ These people should not have firearms.
‘ They are clearly a danger to the public as they have demonstrated a reckless disregard for the law and for human life, bearing in mind the location of the shooting.
‘ This underscores the wider problems associated with night time shooting which is under consideration by the Department of Justice.’
Mr Walsh added that he is hopeful the people responsible are successfully prosecuted and receive lengthy custodial sentences.