Wildlife crime is a real crime and a serious problem

The Wildlife Act dates to 1976 and was last amended in 2000. It’s a weak law that needs updating — something the Government itself has acknowledged

Badger sow and cubs. Gardaí were recently alerted to what is believed to be a badger baiting incident in Croagh village in Limerick. A Garda statement read that on Wednesday, January 24, 2024 Gardaí arrived at the scene and observed two large holes had been intentionally dug in the ground. This is believed to be a practice known as 'badger baiting' — when badgers, which are a protected species in Ireland, are dug out of their setts and captured by people to be used to fight with dogs."

The recent shooting of a rare white-tailed eagle is a reminder that wildlife crime remains a serious problem.

Ornithologist Allan Mee, who was involved in the reintroduction of the bird in 2007, has calculated that 60 white-tailed eagles have been found dead here since then. While it is not always possible to ascertain a cause of death, Mee’s data show that a quarter are known to have been poisoned. 7% were shot. There has only been one prosecution in relation to any of these deaths, in 2009, when a conviction was secured under the Control of Dogs Act (for leaving carcasses where dogs could scavenge).