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The association representing gun clubs across Ireland is seeking a meeting with the Garda Commissioner following what it calls a deviation from long-standing protocol.
The National Association of Regional Game Councils (NARGC) said a number of Garda superintendents are requesting that gun owners include written confirmation from all farmers and other landowners that gun owners are permitted to shoot on their land as part of licence or licence renewal applications.
NARGC chair Dan Curley described the stipulation as unreasonable, given it would mean gun owners could break COVID-19 restrictions by visiting farmers.
‘Administrative nightmare’
He also pointed out that larger gun clubs could shoot across land owned by up to 150 farmers and for each member to provide 150 written permission slips would lead to an “administrative nightmare” for gardaí. In written correspondence to Garda Commissioner Drew Harris seen by the Irish Farmes Journal, the NARGC stated that a number of gun owners had already been refused a licence and were not able to lodge appeals successfully within the 30-day statutory period because courts are not fully operating during the pandemic.
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