Blog, Articles & Podcast



Historically under-reported and under-prosecuted: a comparative analysis of Wildlife Crime in the Republic of Ireland

Niamh Guiry – Cork Online Law Review 2023

Described as the ‘illegal taking, exploiting, possessing, or killing of animals or plants in contravention of national or international laws’, wildlife crime jeopardises the well-being of wildlife and the sustainable development of countless communities.2 Whilst varying significantly in nature depending on species and region, wildlife crime is the second largest threat to biodiversity according to the World Wildlife Fund, and the depletion of precious biodiversity threatens the ecological stability of the natural environment. Whether driven by the principally commercial pursuits of transnational wildlife trafficking, poaching for blood sport, and medicinal use, or by human population growth, cultural traditions, or poverty, the illegal wildlife trade has an estimated annual worth of $7-23 billion, and the annual worth of global environmental crime is estimated at $91–258 billion.

Download PDF – Historically under-reported and under-prosecuted: a comparative analysis of Wildlife Crime in the Republic of Ireland 2023



What is Wildlife Crime and What Can We Do About it in Ireland?

University College Cork - 14 Jan 2022

Wildlife crime is a widespread issue that poses a serious threat to our biodiversity and the sustainable development of countless communities. While there is no universally accepted definition of what constitutes wildlife crime, it can be described as any the harming, taking, trading, possessing, obtaining, or consumption of wild flora and fauna. Wildlife crime puts the lives and survival of invaluable species at risk and jeopardises conservation efforts that are in place to preserve our precious biodiversity.

Download PDF – What is Wildlife Crime and What Can We Do About it in Ireland Jan 2022



‘Wildlife criminals’ targeted in new plan

Garda to introduce trainingcourse in effort to tackle gangs of poachers

Fri, Aug 10, 2018, 06:00 Eoghan MacConnell

‘Wildlife criminals’ targeted in new planGarda to introduce trainingcourse in effort to tackle gangs of poachers Fri, Aug 10, 2018, 06:00 Eoghan MacConnell Once they have killed and gutted a deer, poachers mark the location with GPS for later collection. File photograph: Getty ImagesWildlife criminals, including deer poachers and gangs capturing wild birds for sale abroad, “are pillaging the countryside”, according to the senior garda who led a successful operation against deer poachers in Leinsterfive years ago.

Download PDF – Irish Times 10.8.18 Garda training



Investigation ongoing into killing of Peregrine Falcons

Green News 10.8.18 Peregrine Falcons Louth

August 10th, 2018

An investigation is underway in relation to the unlawful killing of two peregrine falcons in Co Louth.The two adult falcons were found dead by National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) staff in the remote Cooley Mountains where they were nesting.Three eggs were found in the nest, leading the NPWS to conclude that the falcons were killed while protecting their young and the nest.In order to carry out a successful prosecution, forensic and other evidence gathering technologies will be employed.The Gardaí are also appealing to the public for any informationabout the incident. Anyone with any information about the incident can contact An Garda Síochána in Dundalk at 042-938 8400.

Download PDF – Green News 10.8.18 Peregrine Falcons Louth



Wildlife crime in Ireland

Mike Rendle - Native Woodland Trust Magazine Autumn 2017

Wildlife crime is a globalphenomenon. Almostdaily we hear reports oftigers, rhinos, elephantsand many other animalsbeing hunted to extinction to feedthe international black market inanimals and animal parts.Politicians and celebrities offertheir patronage to conservationcampaigns and engage with foreigngovernments to protect endangeredspecies and stamp out illegal trade.

Download PDF – NWT – Wildlife crime in Ireland



IN THE LINE OF FIRE – Help end wildlife persecution

Mike Rendle - Golden Eagle Trust Magazine Winter 2015: p32 - 33

Closer to home, wildlife may not be considered as exotic,or attract the same degree of publicity, but wildlife crime inIreland is a very real threat to some of our rarest and mosticonic native birds and animals. Yet many folk remainunaware of the extent to which our wildlife is persecutedand plundered on this small island of ours. This is evidence,surely, if it were needed, that familiarity breeds contempt.

Download PDF – G.E.T – In The Line of Fire



Hen Harrier blog-star “Heather” shot dead in Co. Kerry

Calvin Jones - Ireland's Wildlife 2.2.15

A young hen harrierhas beenfound shot dead near Waterville in Co. Kerry.The satellite tagged bird-of-prey, a young female dubbed “Heather” by local schoolchildren, was part of a joint project by regional developmentorganisation IRD Duhallow and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). Heatherbecame an online star via the Hen Harrier Ireland Blog, with thousands of people in Ireland and around the world trackingherprogresson the web.

Download PDF – Ireland’s Wildlife 2.2.15 Hen Harrier shot



One of only two Irish-bred white-tailed eagles shot and killed

Eoin Burke-Kennedy - Irish Times Newspaper 5.3.14

Wed, Mar 5, 2014, 16:25 Updated: Wed, Mar 5, 2014, 17:53 Eoin Burke-Kennedy

Minister decribes shooting as shocking crime as gardaí and NPWS investigate. The incident represents a serious blow to the country’s eagle reintroduction programme which has already been blighted by a series of poisoning incidents

Download PDF – Irish Times White tailed eagle shot 5.3.14