Jarveys back in business with dung catchers in tow
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) removed bollards which had been placed at entrances to the park and that had effectively locked out the jarveys since last October.
A recent High Court decision obliged the jarveys use the dung catchers in the 10,000-hectare park which is visited by more than a million people each year.
NPWS deputy regional manager Pat Foley yesterday said there was 100% compliance amongst the jarveys who had signed up for permits which allow them to ply for hire in the park.
“Everything seems to be working satisfactorily and we’re very pleased at the way things are going,” he said. “From talking to jarveys at their stands, the reaction has been positive and the dung catchers are working as intended.”
Jarveys in Killarney town are also using the dung catchers.
However, Killarney Jarvey Association chairman Pat O’Sullivan said it was too early to say how the devices would work, adding nobody knew how animals would react.
“It will take a few months to see how we get on,” he said.
The NPWS is providing the devices free of charge and is offering a DVD and a training programme on how to fit and use them. Metal containers for collecting the dung have been placed in the park.
The jarveys, who last year staged protests at the entrance to Muckross House, had strongly opposed the dung catchers, claiming they were unsafe and could lead to unpredictable behaviour by horses. They brought the High Court case against the NPWS in a bid to lift a court order that banned them from the park unless they used them.
However, following the ruling by Mr Justice Liam McKechnie on May 13, they decided to at least give the devices a trial.
The 27 jarveys who brought the case have had consultations with their legal team and have indicated they may appeal the decision to the Supreme Court.
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