ANGER BOILS OVER AS ILLEGAL HUNTING RAISED AT MEETING

GARDAÍ were told they are not doing enough to reprimand trespassers who illegally hunt hares in lands around north Kerry.

The accusation was made during a heated public meeting held at Kilmoyley Community Centre on Tuesday evening, where 100 people gathered to air their frustration and anger over what they say is a threat to their safety and property.

Landowners from Ardfert, Kilmoyley, Abbeydorney, Ballyheigue and Causeway said they noticed an increase in people on their lands hunting hares and killing sheep since last year.

They also expressed worry that these same individuals are casing their homes and farms. In one incident a man reportedly saw 16 individuals with dogs hunting in a field in the Red Field area of Causeway. The concern for residents is that these people are also combing the area, driving vans and cars with registrations from outside the jurisdiction.

A case of a man in his late 70s not being able to sleep at night due to the worry of intruders was also highlighted. The same man had some of his sheep killed by dogs brought to his land by prowlers. The trespassers are also said to be very aggressive when approached.

“The guards did receive some flak for what people deemed to be inactivity on the matter. When people learned that they had made statements in the past that were not followed up on, it was frustrating. These intruders have no permission to be on these lands and are in total breach of the law,” said Pat Dineen.

Attending the meeting was Sergeant Garry O’Carroll and three other Gardaí; an IFA representative from Dublin; a member of the Irish Coursing Association; and a representative from FBD Insurance, who briefed the crowd on public liability insurance. Members of the local gun club also attended. The IFA representative said that a special patrol unit is being set up nationally to deal specifically with this problem, which has seen a steady increase in Kerry over recent years, with similar cases in Kilflynn and Ballyduff.

“A lot was learned from the meeting and it was an eye opener. We had a fantastic crowd. Even when the meeting was going on, a man from Ballyheigue received a phone call to say that men were spotted in his land on Kerry Head. It’s now a problem that needs to be tackled,” Mr Dineen added.

Meanwhile, gardaí said they will continue to work hard at tackling the problem but more people must be willing to come forward and make statements.