Havoc caused on Tipperary roads by deer population

Councillors have called for action to be taken to deal with the huge increase in the deer population in the county.

At a meeting of Tipperary County Council members spoke of an increasing rate of accidents caused by deer on the roads and also spoke of the difficulties caused by deer to the farming community.

Cllr John Crosse said there was huge concern out there about the large numbers of deer on the roads.

CLOSE CALLS

“People who drive to work on a daily basis are telling me they have had a few close calls with deer out on the road and nobody is able to tell us who is responsible,” said Cllr Crosse.

Cllr Cross said the livelihoods were at stake among the farming community.

He was aware of significant damage being done to crops in the Rossadrehid area by deer.

He proposed that the authority write to the Department of Agriculture to intensify the national cull that was being carried out at the moment.

SAFETY CONCERNS

“The numbers of deer are having devastating effects on the farming community and are a safety concern on our roads,” said Cllr Crosse.

The call was supported by other councillors.

ACCIDENTS

Marcus O’Connor, Director of Roads said there was undoubtedly more deer on the roads of Tipperary and there were more and more accidents on the roads involving deer.

He told members that there was an active culling project going on in the country at the moment. Almost 5,000 deer have been culled in Tipperary as a result of this move, which was the second highest number of deer culled in counties.