The Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht has warned that anyone found cutting hedges before 1 September faces prosecution and fines. A spokesperson for the Department said it receives complaints from members of the public and, depending on the quality of the information provided, officials of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department investigate these claims. If there is sufficient evidence, prosecutions are brought for breaches of the Wildlife Acts.

Since 2011, the Department has taken over 50 prosecutions against individuals for breaches of Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts. Fines were imposed in most cases, ranging from €50 to €600. In some cases, the defendants were also ordered by the court to pay legal costs and expenses.

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