Press release
Minister Noonan welcomes prosecution by the National Parks and Wildlife Service
From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
Published on
Last updated on
On Monday 27th July 2020 Andrew Walsh, Knockstown, Duncormick Co Wexford, Croistoir Reville, Newtown, Kilmore Quay Co Wexford and Adam Moore, Rochestown, Duncormick Co Wexford were before Wexford District where they were convicted by Judge Brian O’ Shea under Section 22 (4) (i) of the Wildlife Acts 1976 and 2000 in relation to the unlawful shooting of Herring Gulls at Ballyteige Co Wexford on the 11th May 2019
Direct evidence was given by Seamus Feeney, Drum, Ballygawley Co Sligo who witnessed the incident and provided pictures he had taken of the 3 named individuals to the court, Conservation Ranger Tony Murray also gave direct evidence to the court in relation to the incident.
The case was presented by William Maher BL for the Minister with the assistance of the State solicitor for Co Wexford O’Doherty & Warren represented in court by Brendan Curran.
The Judge dismissed the charge under Section 35 as unproven. He did not accept the defence under Section 22 (6) and convicted all three defendants under Section 22 (4).
Each defendant was convicted, fined €1,000, had there firearm certificates revoked under Section 75 of the Wildlife Act, Judge O’Shea also barred all three from obtaining a Firearm Certificate for 5 years.
Minister Noonan in commenting on the case said “I welcome this prosecution as it is a clear indication of the need to conserve all bird species including the herring gull whose coastal numbers have increased in recent years.”