Six men face prosecution for hare poaching and trespassing in Co Kildare. The men were reported to the gardaí by a local farmer in the Suncroft/Nurney area.

The group had a number of lurcher dogs and were attempting to poach hares and compete in illegal hare-coursing at the time the gardaí arrived.

Superintendent Martin Walker told the Irish Farmers Journal: “They will be prosecuted under section 44 of the Wildlife Act.”

Possible charges

The individuals could be charged with illegal trespass, illegal hunting of hares without a licence, hunting with dogs without a licence and if a vehicle was found to be involved with aiding and abetting the activity, the driver could face consequential disqualification and will receive a driving ban for 12 months.

I don’t call it a trespass, I call it a farm invasion

“This is the third such offence in this area this month,” said Supt Walker. “I don’t call it a trespass, I call it a farm invasion, because that is what they are doing. It seems to be endemic at the moment.”

Separate incident

In a separate incident, two individuals were summonsed for hunting hares in Co Offaly and were brought before Judge Catherine Staines in Tullamore District Court on 15 July 2019.

Judge Staines convicted the men, but reserved sentencing for a future date as the two men were not in court on the day.

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Six men to be prosecuted for illegal hare poaching

This is the third incidence of hare poaching and coursing in the past month. "It seems to be endemic at the moment,"Superintendent Martin Walker has said.