Fines reduced for men who entered private lands in Cork with bars and hunting dogs

Groups of men carrying iron bars and accompanied by dogs hunting foxes, rabbits, and badgers, would be very intimidating for the owners of land, a circuit court judge said.

Five men appeared at Cork Circuit Appeals Court appealing the severity of fines imposed on them for hunting on privately- owned lands with dogs, in contravention of the Wildlife Act.

Barrister Orla Meere said that because of the fact that the men were on social welfare they were appealing the fines imposed on them, which ranged from €500 to €750.

“Essentially, it is the same application,” Ms Meere said. “They accept their action, they are just seeking leniency.”

Judge Sinead Behan said: “One of the problems with this is that it is private land and there have been instances where owners are intimidated by men appearing on their land with bars and dogs, and that has led to terrible consequences, sometimes fatal.

“You would present as a very intimidating bunch of men if you arrived on someone’s land with dogs and bars, apart altogether from wildlife considerations. This is a serious matter. 

“If this is activity you get involved in as a hobby, it can lead to damage to property, let alone the unfortunate animals you are pursuing.”

The judge said that because of the men’s financial and family circumstances, she would reduce the fines in all cases to €300.

Sergeant John Kelleher said that at 10.10am on March 14, 2021, at Kilboy, Riverstick, gardaí observed a large number of men spread out across two fields hunting with dogs.

“They saw three vehicles parked up on the side of the road with a dog trailer attached to each vehicle,” Sgt Kelleher said. “They had at least three different dog breeds, as well as bars and a shovel. The dogs were off-lead and hunting around the fields. The land was private property.”

Each man was fined on a charge that on March 14, 2021, not being the owner of land, he entered the land for hunting foxes without permission, contrary to the Wildlife Act.

Michael Foley, aged 43, of Awbeg, Rivervalley, Mallow, Co Cork, had been fined €500; Anthony O’Reilly, aged 32, of Ballinure Ave, Mahon, Cork, was fined €750; Joseph O’Reilly, aged 30, of Ballinure Ave, Mahon, Cork, was fined €500; and Timmy O’Reilly, aged 45, of Meelagh Drive, Mahon, Cork, was fined €750.

After the appeal, the fines now stand at €300 in each case. Patrick O’Reilly, aged 56, of Ballinure Ave, Mahon, Cork, had been fined €300 originally, so his appeal was effectively withdrawn.