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More than 120 deer have been culled since January 2018 - and a further cull will commence in the New Year - according to the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

The cull in Killarney last year commenced on foot of reports and surveys of the deer population, and was carried out by trained, experienced and dedicated National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) staff in a professional manner based upon scientific research.
According to the Department, the cull was decided upon following consultation with National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) professional staff, including scientific input as required. Shooting of deer in the park is carried out only by NPWS professional staff members, who are fully trained, competent, expert and licenced in the use of firearms. The selection of deer shot is in accordance with normal deer management protocols and the deer are shot humanely by qualified NPWS marksmen.
The remains are processed and disposed of in full compliance with the applicable Department of Agriculture guidelines, and with the involvement, as appropriate, of Department of Agriculture officials.
“There is a significant challenge in attempting to balance the demands of agriculture, forestry and conservation with the need to ensure that deer populations occupying the same land resources are managed at sustainable levels, and in a responsible and ethical manner,” a spokesperson from the Department told the Killarney Advertiser this week.
“Ultimately, however, where deer species are increasing in range and numbers, depending on the annual count and instances of damage caused by deer to habitats (especially woodland), culls need to be carried out to ensure that deer populations do not reach levels that would have negative ecological and species consequences.”