Connect with us

News

Crimes against deer continue to soar

Published

on

T

Tourism in Killarney is enjoying a boost this autumn with hotels and other accommodation busier than normal, thanks to numbers arriving to catch the deer rutting season amid spectacular autumn foliage.

Large stags and their hinds within metres of the lakeside Lake Hotel dining room have become a nightly fixture for camera-wearing tourists and diners. Social media is right now full of extraordinary pictures of red stags bellowing at dawn.

A recent red deer walk by the Irish Deer Commission and the National Parks and Wildlife Service drew visitors from Dublin, Waterford, Wexford and other regions, all of them staying in local hotels and accommodation.

However, fears are being expressed about wildlife crime against deer by unscrupulous gangs operating along the Cork/Kerry border between Kilgarvan and Coolea, and in the Kilcummin area north of Killarney.

Wildlife crime against deer has soared this season in the southwest, the Irish Deer Commission has revealed.

Meetings between the deer commission and gardaí have been taking place in the Cork/Kerry border area in an effort to tackle illegal night-time hunting in particular, but also other wildlife crime against deer, commission spokesman Damien Hannigan said.

The commission, made up of conservationists and deer stalkers and experienced hunters, has had 34 reports of wildlife crime against deer since September 1, when the season for hunting male deer under permit opened. The number of reports is the highest ever than during the recession Mr Hannigan said.

The season for hunting of female deer under permit opened yesterday (November 1) and there are fears of a further increase of the illegal hunting in advance of the Christmas season by gangs who sell the venison illegally.

Deer are dazzled and then shot and in some cases chased to exhaustion by dogs.

Negativity involving unsubstantiated claims that linking deer with the spread of TB and so on may be contributing to the increase, Mr Hannigan added. He is urging the public to report any night-time activity that might be targeting our deer.

Pic: Peter O'Toole.

Advertisement

News

Soroptimist make €3k donation to Rockmount Care Centre

Published

on


Members of the Killarney Soroptimist Society visited the Rockmount Care Centre on Wednesday, to present a cheque for €3000 to Nurse Manager Mary Hussey.


The significant sum was raised during the society’s successful annual pancake morning held on Shrove Tuesday at the Killarney Avenue Hotel.
Rockmount Care Centre provides essential support as a dedicated day care facility for individuals living with Dementia and Alzheimer’s, serving many clients and families from the Killarney area.
These funds arrive at a vital time, as they are earmarked for the centre’s new sensory garden project, which is currently in the design phase.
Pictured at the presentation are Soroptimists members handing over the proceeds to Mary Hussey. The society extended their thanks to the Killarney Avenue Hotel and all those who supported the fundraiser to help make this donation possible.

Attachments

Continue Reading

News

Public realm works begin on Main Street and Kenmare Place

Repair works for the Killarney Public Realm project officially commenced on Monday, April 20, following approval from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. This phase of the project, […]

Published

on

Repair works for the Killarney Public Realm project officially commenced on Monday, April 20, following approval from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

This phase of the project, funded by the URDF, focuses on enhancing the streetscape and accessibility of both Main Street and Kenmare Place.
To allow the appointed contractors to carry out the investment safely, a section of the R-878 on Main Street, stretching from Kenmare Place to Plunkett Street, is now closed to traffic. This first period of construction is scheduled to run from April 20 until July 3.
Recognising the importance of the tourism season, the council has confirmed the street will fully reopen from July 4 to October 4 to accommodate peak summer traffic. Following this break, works will resume for a second period starting October 5 and running until December 4.
While vehicle diversions are in place, pedestrian access to all businesses and emergency service access will be maintained throughout the construction phases. Kerry County Council stated that these works are part of a wider programme to improve the safety and quality of the town centre and has thanked the public and local business owners for their cooperation during these essential improvements.

Continue Reading

Last News

Sport