Hunting group takes legal action against State

A HUNTING organisation has initiated legal action against the Environment Minister for failing to properly conserve the birds which they want to shoot.

The National Association of Regional Game Councils (NARGC) has secured a judicial review against Dick Roche for the alleged failure of the State to properly transpose EU measures for the conservation of birds.

The NARGC said it has taken the action to stop the licensed hunting of the red grouse and several other protected wild bird species outside of the game hunting season and during their reproductive cycles.