Maximum fine is €1,904.61

SECTION 40 of the Wildlife Act of 1976, as amended in 2000, states that it is an offence for a person to cut, grub, burn or destroy, during the period beginning on the March 1 and ending on August 31, any vegetation growing on any uncultivated land. The same applies to vegetation growing in a hedge or ditch.

Exemptions apply in the ordinary course of agriculture or forestry management, for cutting or grubbing isolated bushes or clumps of gorse, furze or whin, or mowing isolated growths of fern and noxious weeds — but not for burning.

Also excluded are acts necessary for extinguishing or preventing spread of a fire while it is in progress, or, of course, acts for the purpose of saving human life, or necessary in any other emergency.