4 men convicted of illegal hunting in Kildare as investigation into larger hunting ring continues

Four men were convicted after they were caught trespassing on a farm in south Kildare as they carried out illegal hunting activities on the farmer's land, while there may be as many as nine gangs of poachers carrying out such activities in the area.

Daniel Connors(36), from Waterford, and his cousin Bill Connors(26), from Wexford were caught trespassing on Trevor Cooke's land near Suncroft on November 22 last year as they attempted to capture hares in the area.

The two men were accompanied by two friends and six lurcher dogs as they chased hares in the field. All four men have been ordered to pay €500 each to Wildlife Rehabilitation Ireland and were fined €100 each for having no dog licence, hunting for hares without a licence, failing to keep their dogs under control and for trespassing.

The Irish Sun report that there could be up to nine gangs carrying out such practices in the area, with many of them betting on which of their dogs can catch their prey first.

Superintendent Martin Walker, of Kildare Garda Station, told the Sun; "Any dogs involved in this activity in the future will be put down."

"This incident is only the tip of the iceberg and we are working closely with National Parks and Wildlife and other agencies on this matter."