News
Minister of State for Heritage welcomes convictions and fines for habitat destruction
Date Released: Monday, October 18, 2021
The Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD, has welcomed a number of recent fines convictions for destruction of hedgerows and woodland during bird nesting season. “I welcome these convictions, and the strong messages they send on the consequences of wildlife crime – in these cases, significant fines and a 20% penalty on farm payments. I also welcome the Judges’ comments in highlighting the importance of Section 40, the need to protect our wildlife and habitats, and the responsibility landowners have in ensuring their actions comply with that objective.”
Minister Noonan was speaking after two cases, heard recently in the District Courts. At a sitting of Ballina District Court, a Mayo farmer was fined €4,000 and received a 20% penalty to his farm payments for the destruction of vegetation over an area of approximately 1.9 acres during bird nesting season. At Nenagh District Court, a Galway farmer was convicted and fined €3,000 for destroying 755 meters of hedgerows and 0.7acres of scrub woodland at a farm in County Tipperary.
Case 1: Convicted and fined €3,000 for destroying hedgerow and scrub woodland
Case 2: Fines and penalties issued to Mayo farmer for vegetation destruction during the bird nesting season