Eight prosecutions for illegal burning since 2010

It is illegal to burn vegetation in Ireland between 1 March and 31 August under the Wildlife Act.

Amy Forde

20 May 2020

Eight prosecutions for illegal burning since 2010

Illegally burned land can be deemed ineligible for direct payments. \ Cork County Fire Service

The Department of Culture, Heritage and Gaeltacht has taken eight prosecutions since 2010 for illegal burning of vegetation. It is illegal to burn vegetation in Ireland between 1 March and 31 August.

The prosecutions were taken against landowners in counties Clare, Cork and Kerry.

A Department spokesperson said fines imposed ranged from €50 to €600, with some defendants also paying the prosecution’s legal costs and expenses.

“The Department also liaises with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine on cross compliance issues,” the spokesperson said.

Illegally burned agricultural and eligible forestry land can be deemed ineligible for payment under the Basic Payment Scheme.

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