*Gardaí were
FARMERS IN North and West Clare are going to take the law into their own hands if Gardaí do not intervene in the continued illegal hunting across the county, elected representatives have warned.
Last Monday, Gardaí were alerted to an incident of illegal hunting in North Clare. A spokesperson for An Garda Síochána confirmed, “The incident occurred at approximately 4pm. Following this incident Gardaí have seized a vehicle and six lurcher dogs”.
Speaking at Tuesday’s meeting of the West Clare Municipal District, Cllr Bill Slattery (FG) said “very serious and dangerous illegal activity is taking place over the last four to five months in Liscannior, Doonbeg and the Loop Head area”.
He referred to the “serious incident” in Clahane where families who travelled from Limerick and Cashel trespassed on farmers lands with six lurcher dogs.
The most recent incident prior to this saw the group “apprehended” by farmers in Loop Head, Cllr Slattery said after Gardaí were called but were not available to help at the time. “They are coming into Liscannor, Doonbeg and Loop Head for the last three years”.
Lahinch representative Slattery claimed that a farmer was “assaulted” in Clahane while others were threatened with iron bars”. He said, “We have to come together on this, from Loop Head to North Clare, it is happening and getting worse, the farmers have been told they can’t come out with a gun, there will be a Paraic Lally situation if this is let happen, we have to stand up for these landowners and farmers”.
Officers from Parks and Wildlife were also missing in action, Bill noted while pointing out they would be quick to catch someone picking salmon from the river.
Cathaoirleach of the West Clare MD, Cllr Rita McInerney (FF) agreed it needed to be highlighted with Gardaí. “We are all in agreement that the Garda area isn’t working, there isn’t enough resources, there is recruitment ongoing, we have a very big area in Clare and Tipperary Division, we need to look at how we are resourcing our Gardaí, it is terrible that it is rearing its head again”.
Cllr Dinny Gould (IND) said the problem is “getting bigger and bigger”. He said, “when they are killing hares they are putting them online to show how many they got”. He claimed that the individuals involved burnt down a shed in Limerick, “they are ruthless people”.,
A multi-agency response is needed, Cllr Shane Talty (FF) maintained. “They are out by night and early morning terrorising livestock which is terrorising landowners, it is going on a number of years, we all have heard the stories where they have confiscated dogs and returned by courier to these criminals, the powers aren’t sufficient”.
Councillors agreed to seek a meeting with Gardaí to discuss the matter further. “It is important that this meeting goes ahead because somebody will get hurt or killed,” Cllr Slattery commented.
