Further calls for deer cull

A motion seeking a deer cull in Tipperary is to be sent to two Government departments.

At a recent meeting of Tipperary Co Council, Cllrs Martin Lonergan (Ind) and Richie Molloy (Ind) asked the council to call on the Government to “acknowledge that the wild deer population of Ireland has dramatically increased, and that they are causing devastating damage to farmland and crops, and causing a dangerous hazard on our rural and national roads, particularly in areas of County Tipperary”. The motion also sought confirmation of the current status of the Deer Management Forum and called for the establishment, “along with local stakeholders including farmers and local gun clubs, County Management Committees to implement policies and best practice to deal with the issue in the interest of animal, economic and motorists' interests”.

Supporting the motion, Cathaoirleach Cllr Mattie Ryan (FF) said the deer population is a “big problem” in his area around Kilcommon, where there have been numerous collisions between vehicles and deer crossing the road. He had previously tabled a similar motion on the matter. “There will have to be a cull,” Cllr Ryan told the meeting.