Conservation ranger numbers to be increased amid scourge of illegal gorse fires

File photo: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie

As the country continues to battle the scourge of gorse fires, a recruitment campaign is due to begin for conservation rangers to join the 72 currently in place across the country.

The recruitment campaign comes as the debate goes on as to how illegal gorse fires and other biodiversity threats are tackled, with heritage minister Malcolm Noonan conceding that prosecution of offences is limited.