Deer culls proposed as population explodes in East Cork

The deer population has exploded to such an extent in East Cork that councillors are considering capturing and relocating them to Doneraile Park.

One unfortunate woman has had two cars written off after hitting deer, while it’s been reported that a number of other drivers have had serious damage done to their vehicles.

Deer have spread out of their traditional homelands in forestry in a triangular area between Youghal, Dungourney, and Tallow, Co Waterford, into almost every part of the East Cork region.

A meeting of the East Cork municipal district council heard that they’ve now reached Garryvoe, where they were never seen before.

There are also concerns that they could continue to encroach on the N25 dual carriageway between Carrigtwohill and Youghal.

Senior executive engineer Dave Clarke said to date just one accident involving a deer has been reported on the route but admitted if their numbers become larger adjacent to it this “would be a very serious issue”.

Fine Gael councillor Rory Cocking initiated the debate when he asked for more deer warning signs to be erected in parts of the region.

Car damage of €5,000

He said he knew of one woman who had €5,000 of damage done to her car.

Independent Ireland councillor John Buckley said he’d spoken with a woman who had two cars “written off” after hitting deer near forestry between Midleton and Dungourney.

He said the rutting season is in full swing at the moment, which will lead to another increase in the deer population in the region.

Fine Gael councillor Michael Hegarty suggested the situation has become so serious the council should seek advice on culling them from the Department of Agriculture.

Council chair Fianna Fáil councillor Ann Marie Ahern said she wouldn’t be in favour of culling deer and suggested they be captured and sent to Doneraile Park.

“I would not be in any favour of culling poor Bambi. But definitely something has to be done about this,” added Youghal-based Independent councillor Mary Linehan-Foley.

Mr Cocking asked council officials to raise awareness across the county about the potential damage increasing herds of deer can do.

Mr Clake said that additional warning signs would be put up in areas where there are increasing issues with deer.

Meanwhile, West Cork councillors have called for increased deer culling, warning that motorists were being injured as the animals spread into more areas. Cork County Council’s western division committee agreed to write to the National Parks and Wildlife Service seeking action following reports of serious collisions and near misses.