GARDAÍ in West Limerick are investigating after they were alerted to a suspected badger baiting incident on Wednesday of this week (January 24).
The alert was raised after two large holes were observed in the village of Croagh, which a Garda spokeswoman said were “intentionally dug in the ground”.
Gardaí believe the holes to be related to an incident of badger baiting – a practice involving badgers, a protected species in Ireland, being dug out of their sets and forced into fights with dogs.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland programme, Niall Ó Donnchú, director general of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, described badger baiting as a “barbaric” and “heinous” act, which “invariably ends up in death” for both the badger and the dog being forced to fight.
“It is indescribably cruel to both a protected animal, and indeed the dog,” Mr Ó Donnchú said, adding that the “barbaric activity … has no place in any civilised society or any society that cares for nature”.
The National Parks and Wildlife general director said he had “no doubt” that the practice often involves spectators watching and placing bets on the illegal animal fights.
Reacting to the discovery of the suspected badger baiting holes in Croagh, Mr Ó Donnchú said that “the disturbance or interference with the breeding or nesting sites of any protected animal is an offence under the Wildlife Act, and any associated activity with that disturbance or capture of a protected mammal and its persecution in such activities as badger baiting is strictly illegal.”
“And I have to say, it’s also not good for the dogs either,” he added.
A Garda spokeswoman said that “Gardaí in Newcastle West and the National Parks and Wildlife Service were alerted to an incident contrary to the Wildlife Act, 1976, at a rural location in the vicinity of Croagh village, County Limerick, at approximately 4pm on Wednesday, 24th January 2024.”
The spokeswoman added that badger baiting is “a harmful and serious offence”, and appealed to anyone with any information regarding the incident to make themselves known to investigating Gardaí.
“In particular, they wish to speak with anyone that was in the Croagh village area or the wider Adare and Rathkeale areas during 1pm and 4pm (on Wednesday) and who may have seen anything which resembled this or saw anything which may have drawn their attention,” the Garda spokeswoman said.
Any road users who may have video camera footage (including dashcam) from the area at this time is also asked to make it available to Gardaí.Anyone with information is asked to contact Newcastle West Garda Station on 069 20 650, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.