Hunter fined for importing illegal and inhumane animal traps
23 January 2013

ICABS has congratulated the NPWS, An Post and Irish Customs whose actions led to the conviction of a hunter who imported illegal traps into Ireland. Brendan Keady of Dalgan Park, Shrule, Co Mayo was fined 150 Euro for importing the traps which he bought on Ebay.

The Mayo Advertiser reported in its January 18th 2013 edition that An Post intercepted the parcel containing the 12 traps and contacted Customs who then contacted the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Keady, an unemployed member of a local gun club, told the court that he paid 106 Euro for the traps on Ebay.ie. He claimed that he was unaware that they are illegal in Ireland and was going to use them to catch mink and foxes.

According to the Mayo News, he told Castlebar District Court that "he is a member of a local gun club and had won the vermin competition for the last five years in a row which involved killing animals such as foxes and minks."

In response to a question from Judge Mary Devins about the dangers to humans walking around fields, Keady said the traps were put into a tunnel to trap the animal.

Eoin McGreal from the National Parks and Wildlife said in court that traps imported by Keady are leg traps and are therefore deemed inhumane as the animal remains alive but trapped.

Judge Devins convicted Keady and fined him 150 Euro. She also granted a forfeiture order for the traps.

Illegal animal traps in Ireland

 ACTION ALERT 

If you are aware of anyone possessing, importing, selling and/or using illegal traps, contact the National Parks and Parks and Wildlife Service - Tel: 01-888 3242 or Email: nature.conservation@ahg.gov.ie Please also notify ICABS.

Information about traps that are illegal in Ireland can be found on our Campaigns page.

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