At recent sittings of Ennis District Court on the 13 March 2026 and 8 April 2026, Simon Casey of 12 Clonlong, South Hill, Limerick and Padraig Casey of 13 Clonlong South Hill, Limerick, pleaded guilty and were convicted for breaching Section 44 of the Wildlife Act 1976.
The case involved the illegal hunting of hares and hunting on land without permission.
It is an offence under the Wildlife Act to hunt an exempted wild mammal, namely a hare, without lawful authority.
The incident occurred on 23 October 2022 in the townland of Teergonean, Doolin, Co. Clare where Christopher O’Donovan of 3 Glen North Halting Site, Ennistymon, Co. Clare, Simon Casey and Padraig Casey were observed hunting with lurcher type dogs by National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) authorised staff. An Garda Síochána assisted the NPWS authorised staff with the investigation.
The case was taken by the NPWS of the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage and prosecuted by Lorcan Connolly, Barrister-at-Law and Aisling Casey, State Solicitor.
The case was first heard on 21 June 2024 by Judge Alec Gabbett, with Christopher O’Donovan being convicted and fined €300. On that date, as both Padraig Casey and Simon Casey failed to attend court, Judge Alec Gabbett issued a bench warrant for their arrest to be brought before court.
These cases came back before Ennis District Court on 13 March 2026 and 8 April 2026. On 13 March 2026, Judge Valerie Corcoran, on foot of a guilty plea, convicted and fined Simon Casey €500 for breach of section 44 of the Wildlife Act, 1976.
On 8 April 2026, on foot of a guilty plea, Judge Adrian Harris convicted and fined Padraig Casey €300 for breach of section 44 of the Wildlife Act, 1976.
Section 44 of the Wildlife Act, 1976 prohibits unlawful entry onto land to hunt wild animals or wild birds. This provision aims to protect wild animals and wild birds in their natural habitats. The illegal hunting of the hares on lands without the permission of the landowner and without a licence has a significant impact on local hare populations causing disturbance, injury or death to these wild animals.
Commenting on the case, Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity Christopher O’Sullivan TD, said: “Illegal hunting is a significant threat to populations of the Irish hare in the wider countryside. This case highlights the cooperation between the National Parks & Wildlife Service, An Garda Síochána and landowners in investigating and prosecuting these offences. I would like to thank An Garda Síochána for their assistance in this case, ensuring that the offenders were brought before the courts”, the Cork native added.
NPWS plays a leading role in responding to wildlife crime and works closely with An Garda Síochána and other enforcement partners to detect, investigate, and prosecute offences. Members of the public are asked to report Wildlife Crime to their local NPWS office //www.npws.ie/contact-
