I propose to take Questions Nos. 958 to 960, inclusive, together.
The number of successful prosecutions taken by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department in 2013 and 2014 relating to illegal hunting under various provisions of the Wildlife Acts are set out in the table that follows this reply. These prosecutions relate to the illegal hunting of deer, hares, badgers and wild birds.
Members of An Garda Síochána are empowered under the Wildlife Acts to investigate alleged offences and to prosecute as they see fit.
Prosecutions for illegal hunting – 2013 and 2014
|
2013
|
2014
|
Number of prosecutions taken
|
4
|
3
|
Number of successful prosecutions
|
4
|
2
|
Location of prosecutions East/West of Shannon
|
All East
|
All East
|