A Tipperary man has been prosecuted for the destruction of vegetation during the bird nesting season. The incident took place at Gortcreen, Shinrone, Co Offaly, on 9 and 10 April 2019.

Michael Cahill, Knockspur, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, was summoned under Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts for the destruction of over 300m of vegetation growing on a hedge and on lands not then cultivated during the bird nesting season.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) brought a case before Judge Catherine Staines in Tullamore District Court on 20 July.

Serious implications

The prosecutors highlighted the fact the vegetation destruction occurred at a particularly sensitive time for nesting birds.

Cahill entered a guilty plea. Judge Staines asked for a €300 contribution to a suitable wildlife charity payable by September 2020. Butterfly Conservation Ireland was nominated as the beneficiary.

The judge warned Cahill that the matter had serious implications for nesting birds and other wildlife and told him not engage in similar activity or come before her again on similar charges or the outcome would be more serious.

Reporting incidents

Speaking on the case, Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan said: “I welcome this prosecution as hedgerows are vitally important for our wildlife and contribute hugely to biodiversity.

“It is the Department’s policy to prosecute those found in breach of the legislation. Any incidents of illegal burning, clearing of vegetation or hedge cutting should be reported to the local National Parks and Wildlife Service Office or An Garda Síochána.”

Under Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts, it is an offence to destroy vegetation growing in any hedge or ditch or on lands not then cultivated during the bird nesting season, from 1 March to 31 August each year.

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