Gun clubs fail in attempt to get access to nature reserves

Minister for the Environment Dick Roche has rejected attempts by gun clubs to gain access to protected nature reserves, according to the Irish Council Against Blood Sports.

The body said it had received confirmation from the minister that he had no plans to alter the current ban on hunting in Ireland's national parks and state reserves.

The National Association of Regional Game Councils has been trying to have the ban scrapped since 1999, but its efforts have been rejected by successive government ministers.

These ministers have told the gun club association that national parks and other state reserves were acquired for the purpose of nature conservation and hunting would fly in the face of this.