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Parliamentary Questions and Answers
Question 24 - Answered on 15 January 2015
Maureen O'Sullivan, TD (Dublin Central, Independent)
To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her views regarding the recent report of the Ward Union blatantly ignoring legislation outlawing the hunting of stags at Clonmahon House in County Meath as confirmed by video evidence and a complaint to Trim Garda station; the measures she will take to ensure that the law is upheld and that her Department is not being undermined by the hunters claiming they accidentally come across stags.
Minister for Justice and Equality Frances Fitzgerald
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the matter referred to by the Deputy is currently under investigation by Gardaí at Trim Garda Station and any breaches of legislation which may come to light will be properly pursued. As the matter remains under investigation the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to make any further comment on the specific issues raised.
ACTION ALERT
According to the Wildlife Amendment Act 2010, "a person who hunts deer with two or more dogs shall be guilty of an offence." If you reside in the area where the Ward Union operates, please familiarise yourself with the Wildlife Amendment Act 2010 and report any breaches to the Gardai.
For the phone numbers of Garda stations, please visit: http://www.garda.ie/Stations/Default.aspx
Irish Times report
Ward Union under investigation for alleged breach of hunting law
Irish Times, Sunday, January 18, 2015
Video evidence said to be part of complaint as hunters ‘accidentally come across stags’
Gardaí in Trim, Co Meath, are investigating claims of a breach of legislation outlawing the hunting of stags, Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald has confirmed.
She told Independent TD Maureen O’Sullivan that “any breaches of legislation which may come to light will be properly pursued”.
But she said in a written parliamentary reply to the Dublin Central TD that “as the matter remains under investigation the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to make any further comment on the specific issues raised”.
Ms O’Sullivan had asked the Minister her view on a report that the Ward Union hunt had been “blatantly ignoring legislation outlawing the hunting of stags at Clonmahon House in County Meath”.
She said it was confirmed by video evidence and a complaint was made to Trim Garda station.
Ms O’Sullivan had also asked the measures the Minister would take to “ensure that the law is upheld and that her department is not being undermined by the hunters claiming they accidentally come across stags”.
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/oireachtas/ward-union-under-investigation-for-alleged-breach-of-hunting-law-1.2070211
