Wildlife Crime & Conservation Conference 2023

Date: 30th September & 1st October 2023


Saturday’s theme is Wildlife Crime: Justice for Nature

Sunday’s theme is Conservation: How to Nurture Nature

Venue: The Glenview Hotel, Glen of the Downs, Wicklow, Co. Wicklow, Ireland

This conference presents a valuable networking opportunity for all sectors with an interest in tackling wildlife crime or working towards the conservation of Ireland’s heritage.

Jointly hosted by PAW Ireland, USPCA, WRI


Programme – Saturday 30th Sept 2023
Wildlife Crime: Justice for Nature

08.30 Registration & Coffee
09.00 Welcome address
Seosaimhín McCarren (WRI)  
09.10 Protecting wildlife for a healthy planet  Chair: Pádraic Fogarty
09.30 NPWS role in prevention and prosecution of wildlife crime  .. Suzanne Nally (Principal Officer for the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Wildlife Enforcement and Nature Protection)
09.50 .. Wildlife Crime – What has been achieved Emma Meredith (PSNI Wildlife Liaison Officer)
10.10 Rationale for dedicated unit to provide investigative support to law enforcement agencies Chief Inspector Kevin Kelly (Head of the National Wildlife Crime Unit UK)
10.30 Effecting change via the political system. Panel Q&A Jennifer Whitmore (TD Social Democrats, Spokesperson for Climate Action, Biodiversity and Energy) Panel: Niall, Emma, Kevin, Jennifer
10.50 Coffee
11.10 An Garda Síochána’s role in the prevention of wildlife crime Chief Superintendent Ann Markey, (Crime Legal, An Garda Síochána) & Det Sgt James King (Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation)
11.30 Inland Fisheries Ireland wildlife crime enforcement team training & structure Francis O’Donnell  (CEO, Inland Fisheries Ireland) 
11.50 PAW Ireland & PAW App – raising the profile and reporting of wildlife crimes Damien Hannigan (Irish Deer Commission, PAW Ireland) 
12.10 Badger Baiting within Northern Ireland Ian Lyle (USPCA Special Investigations Unit)
12.30 Justice for Nature and the Nature of Justice. Panel Q&A Kieran Buckley (Regional Manager, NPWS). Panel: Ann, James, Francis, Damien, Ian, Kieran
12.50 Lunch 
1.30 Identifying signs and symptoms of wildlife crime casualties  Dr Alan Wolfe  (Veterinary pathologist UCD)
2.00 Round table discussion

Reflect and Renew – can we provide justice for nature 

Panel: Dr Micheál Ó Cinnéide (NPWS Review joint author, Retired Director EPA & Marine Institute), Jennifer W., NPWS, Niall Sargent (journalist – Noteworthy) 
2.50 Coffee
3.10 Preserving evidence at a crime scene Mícheál Casey (Dept of Agriculture, Food & the Marine)
3.45 Round table discussion

‘What’s Stopping Us From Addressing Wildlife Crime in Ireland: Challenges & Opportunities’

Panel: Niamh Guiry (UCC School of Law),Mícheál C, NPWS, 
4.45
Close
5.15pm Trip to Avoca for Red kite roosting wildlife spectacle! Marc Ruddock (Red Kite Project Manager for the Golden Eagle Trust)

Programme – Sunday 1st Oct 2023
Conservation: How to Nurture Nature

08.30 Registration & Coffee
Theme: Protecting our wildlife; are we really?
09.00 Welcome address Seosaimhín McCarren (WRI)
09.10 The urgent need to address our environmental crisis  Chair: Karen Ciesielski (Irish Environmental Network CEO)
09.30 Changing attitudes – the views of the Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss Dr Micheál Ó Cinnéide (NPWS Review joint author, Retired Director EPA & Marine Institute)
09.50 Nurturing Nature: Fostering Community Stewardship Dr Brendan Dunford (Burrenbeo Trust)
10.10 Reducing your environmental impact James Orr (Friends of the Earth NI)
10.30 Addressing the threat and impacts of Invasive Alien Species to protect Ireland’s Wildlife Martina O’Brien (Invasive Species Engagement Officer, National Biodiversity Data Centre)
10.50 Coffee
Theme: Potential solutions
11.10 A vision of facilities for rehabilitating Irish wildlife  Dr Michael Gunn (Veterinary Surgeon and retired Director of Laboratories DAFM, WRI Director)
11.30 Rights of Nature: Origins, Development and Possibilities for the Island of Ireland Dr Peter Doran (Environmental Justice Network Ireland, Senior Lecturer, School of Law – Queens NI)
11.50 The role of the media as a custodian for the environment Niall Sargent (Journalist ‘Noteworthy’) 
12.10 Counteracting the dramatic adverse changes on Ireland’s natural biodiversity Ronan Hannigan (The Eco Restoration Trust)
12.30 Weaving a patchwork of safe havens for nature globally.   Mary Reynolds (reformed landscape designer, The Ark project)
12.50 Lunch
Theme: Debunking the myths
1.30 Air, Soil & Water: Environmental DNA for biodiversity and wildlife monitoring and conservation Dr David Duffy (Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience -University of Florida, and WRI Director) 
2.00 Round Table Discussion

Debunking sustainability myths and misconceptions

Chair John Gibbons (Environmental journalist) Panel: Mary, Fintan Kelly (Irish Environmental Network)
2.50 Coffee
3.10 Round Table Discussion

From recommendations to realisations

Chair: Fintan Kelly. Panel: Micheál, Brendan, Peter
4.00 Biodiversity and the everything emergency John Gibbons (Environmental journalist)
4.45pm
.. Close & Raffle ..  

 


Speakers

We were delighted to welcome the following guest speakers to our Conference:

 

Kieran Buckley

Regional Manager
NPWS

Kieran Buckley has worked with the National Parks & Wildlife Service, (NPWS) since 2005. During that time he has gained valuable experience in the enforcement of laws to protect Irelands’ wildlife and their habitats. His Wildlife Act prosecutions cases ranged from the poisonings of birds, contrary to the European Union restriction on the use of poison bait 2010 to Badger Baiting, illegal trapping, the destruction of vegetation during the bird nesting season, the wilful killing of protected wild birds, the destruction of their eggs, young and their nests, using illegal devices such as glue traps to hunt protected wild birds, hunting and possession of protected crayfish, illegal coursing, aiding and abetting wildlife crime and the possession and sale of un-lawful leg-hold traps and snares. He has also successfully prosecuted persons responsible from criminal offences under the European Union (Birds & Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011. Before he joined the NPWS, Kieran worked on the Irish Grey Partridge Conservation Project where his passion for wild grey partridge found its’ home.

 

Mícheál Casey

Head of the Regional Veterinary Laboratory Division
Department of Agriculture Food & the Marine

Mícheál Casey grew up in Westport Co. Mayo. He is currently based in the Department of Agriculture Food & the Marine Laboratory in Backweston, Celbridge, Co Kildare where he is the head of the Regional Veterinary Laboratory Division. He graduated in Veterinary Medicine from UCD’s Veterinary College in 1989. He graduated from the University of London with a Masters Degree in Livestock Health and Production in 2001. After three years lecturing in Veterinary Parasitology, he spent five years in veterinary practice in Co. Mayo, during which time he set up his own mixed practice in Westport. He joined the staff of the Regional Veterinary Laboratory in Sligo as a Research Officer in 1997 and was promoted to Senior Research Officer in charge of Sligo RVL in 2004. In June 2010, he took responsibility for the Regional Veterinary Laboratories and the Brucella Testing Laboratory in Cork as the first head of the newly formed Regional Veterinary Laboratory Division.

 

Karen Ciesielski

CEO
Irish Environmental Network

Karen Ciesielski is the CEO of the IEN. With 20 years of experience in non-profit management, fundraising, communications, advocacy and campaigning, Karen works to promote the interlinked principles of environmental, social and economic sustainability by supporting IEN members. She also serves as the Coordinator of the Environmental Pillar.

 

Peter Doran

Politics & Media Lead, Environmental Justice Network Ireland
School of Law, Queens University Belfast

Dr Peter Doran is a lecturer in law and sustainable development at the School of Law, Queens University Belfast. His most recent publication is the book, A Political Economy of Attention: Reclaiming the Mindful Commons (Routledge 2018). He is also a senior editor/writer for the International Institute for Sustainable Development at United Nations conferences on the environment and development. He has worked on environmental policy and campaigns in both government and NGO settings for over thirty years. Together with John Woods and the Carnegie Trust, he convened a roundtable on wellbeing and the programme for government in Northern Ireland and has worked with Zero Waste North West on the adoption of a circular economy strategy by Derry and Strabane District Council. Peter’s role in EJNI is to liaise with local government and the media, provide advice on political developments, develop research proposals and potential collaborations and advise on the production of resources.

 

Brendan Dunford

Co-Founder
Burrenbeo Trust

Brendan Dunford was manager of www.burrenprogramme.com (2010-23) which employed an innovative results-based payment system to incentivise farmers to improve local biodiversity, water quality and landscape, delivering consistent social, economic and environmental gains during its lifetime. Brendan is a founder of the charity www.burrenbeo.com –a leading advocate for place-based learning and community stewardship in Ireland and host to projects such as Heritage Keepers, The Hare’s Corner and the Burren Winterage festival. He is also a founder of www.farmingfornature.ie which aims to acknowledge, celebrate and support farmers across Europe who work to protect nature. In 2011 Brendan became a fellow of Ashoka’s global network of social entrepreneurs and in 2018 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Galway for his work in championing biodiversity. He has served two terms on the Advisory boards of both the Environmental Protection Agency and the Heritage Council.

 

David Duffy

Assistant Professor of Wildlife Disease Genomics
Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience -University of Florida, and WRI Director

David Duffy, Ph.D.: I have always been fascinated by how genetic programs can give rise from a single cell to the complexity of animal bodies, and how the dysregulation of these programs leads to disease. My research interests lie primarily in deciphering cellular signaling networks that drive wildlife and human cancer, and determining novel therapeutic treatment options. I employ a range of classical molecular biology and imaging techniques coupled to cutting-edge omic technologies and advanced computational and network-based analyses to understand cancer biology and identify how to block pro-oncogenic signals. My early research, utilizing the marine cnidarian Hydractinia echinata, investigated how Wnt signaling pathway regulation of development, regeneration and stem cell fate has been evolutionarily conserved through 650 million years of animal evolution. My multi-omic human cancer research informed by cellular signaling and the dysregulation of developmental genes, revealed the global signaling and transcriptional networks of the MYCN oncogene and identified novel therapeutic targets for the childhood cancer neuroblastoma. More recently, I combined my expertise in animal models, evolution and human cancer to employ precision medicine and One Health approaches to tackle a conservation-relevant cancer: sea turtle fibropapillomatosis. The lab’s research is primarily focused on employing precision oncology and genomics approaches to determine the genetic, viral and environmental drivers (and their complex interplay) of the sea turtle fibropapillomatosis tumor epizootic (animal epidemic). In addition to molecular tumor research, we are establishing genomic resources and environmental DNA-based detection approaches for Florida’s sea turtle species and their viral pathogen, profiling tumor responses to therapeutic treatments and conducting behavioral-based post-surgical recovery and enrichment research. Ultimately, we seek to improve rehabilitation outcomes and inform population level management decisions to mitigate the impact of wildlife diseases on endangered species.

 

Pádraic Fogarty

Ecologist

Pádraic Fogarty is an ecologist and former campaign officer with the Irish Wildlife Trust. He is author of the 2017 book ‘Whittled Away: Ireland’s Vanishing Nature’.

 

John Gibbons

Environmental journalist
thinkorswim

John Gibbons is an environmental journalist and commentator and the founder of the Climatechange.ie website and ThinkOrSwim.ie blog. For two years Gibbons contributed a weekly column to The Irish Times, analysing aspects of climate change and sustainability. He is currently a weekly columnist on Today FM as well as a contributor to the Irish Examiner and Business Post and he is a regular guest on radio and TV programmes on climate and environment issues. His work has also appeared in ‘The Guardian’ and on the BBC.

 

Niamh Guiry

Climate activist and PhD Researcher
School of Law, University College Cork

Niamh Guiry is a climate activist and PhD Researcher at the School of Law, University College Cork. Her PhD research explores the interrelationship between the 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, global environmental governance, and evolving patterns of international law-making. Niamh is a member of Not Here Not Anywhere, a grassroots organisation campaigning to end fossil fuel exploration and the development of new fossil fuel infrastructure in Ireland, and has a keen interest in biodiversity protection, climate justice, and environmental communication.

 

Michael Gunn

Veterinary Surgeon
ex DAFM

Michael is a native of a rural community in Co Meath whose primary degree is in Veterinary medicine. After obtaining a PhD while teaching in Edinburgh University, Scotland, he returned to mixed Veterinary practice in Ireland. After four years as a Veterinary Practitioner he joined the Veterinary Research Laboratory and subsequently became Director of all the Agriculture Laboratories. He has been scientific advisor to the European Commission on Animal Health and Welfare and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology. He is a Board Member of WRI.

 

Damien Hannigan

Press Public Relations Officer
Irish Deer Commission & member of PAW Ireland

Damien Hannigan, Irish Deer Commission and qualified Deer Manager. Since my appointment in 1999, I was the driving force behind the Wild Deer Association of Ireland rapid expansion into Ireland’s largest deer organisation, with a significant national membership and support base. I am an avid deer enthusiast and lead campaigner for deer welfare in Ireland. My extensive experience and knowledge in deer matters, which I have gained over 20 years of managing deer, has culminated in invitations to address a wide range of audiences including academics, government and media on subjects such as wildlife crime, deer management, deer distribution etc. I am a founding member of the Deer Alliance, the organising body for assessment and certification for those involved in deer management. I am also a representative of FACE Ireland, recognised by the European Commission as the main discussion partner, representing Europe’s 7 million hunters. I recently completed further deer management studies in the UK. I also have extensive experience in people and organisation management.

 

Fintan Kelly

Agriculture & Land Use Policy & Advocacy Officer
Irish Environmental Network

Fintan works to make Irish agriculture and land-use policies more sustainable for nature and people. He has a MSc in Environmental Biology from Utrecht University and a BSc in Environmental Science from NUI Galway. He specialises in Environmental Policy, Advocacy and Planning and has been working within the Irish eNGO sector since 2012, having previously worked for BirdWatch Ireland, An Taisce, SWAN and the Irish Wildlife Trust.

 

Kevin Kelly

Head of National Wildlife Crime Unit
National Wildlife Crime Unit – UK Policing

Chief Inspector Kevin Kelly has been a Police officer for 19 years and has dedicated his whole service to tackling wildlife crime. This has been done across four Policing ranks and a number of roles including front line policing, armed policing, tactical support roles, as an organised crime detective and tactical commander. His affinity to animals and his drive to tackle wildlife crime is part of his DNA and defines him as a Police Officer. Now he leads the UKs top unit, and he’s responsible for delivering a Policing service locally, nationally and internationally. Kevin’s journey here hasn’t been easy. When he arrived on the front line in 2003 at the Selby District of North Yorkshire, one of his first enquiries was into Illegal Hare coursing. He could see how badly it was impacting the local community, and the cops did nothing. He took on an investigation and carried out some proactivity, only to be hauled in by his Inspector and told off because “its not proper crime lad” Fast forward to June 2021, he has launched the National Hare Coursing Taskforce which brings 26 Police forces together to tackle this wildlife crime type collectively, going after the offenders who do the most harm and coordinating a joined up approach. To get here has seen his work recognised with some of the highest honours in his arena. But that said, now is not the time for procrastination as the hard work is still coming, and he looks forward to showing his plan for adding a financial angle into the fight against wildlife crime.

 

Ann Markey

Chief Superintendent
An Garda Síochána
 

Emma Meredith

Wildlife Liaison Officer
Police Service of Northern Ireland

Emma Meredith was appointed as the first full time wildlife officer and has been the wildlife liaison officer for the Police Service of Northern Ireland since 2007. The role is a specialised position to offer advice, support, assistance and guidance to all local police officers who investigate an alleged breach in the wildlife and/or animal cruelty legislation. Emma advises and trains officers on laws such as; Welfare of Animals Act (NI) 2011 and the Wildlife (NI) Order 1985 as amended by the Wildlife and Natural Environment Act (NI) 2011 and trade in Endangered Species. Emma and her team also manages (along with her line manager) the animal seizure contract for all animal seizures within the Police Service. Emma is an active member of the Partnership for Action against Wildlife Crime Northern Ireland Group (PAWNI) and the sub groups. The PAW group aim to combat wildlife crime. PAWNI has members from government and non-government agencies and it continues to grow. The group is joint chaired by PSNI service lead for Rural and Wildlife Crime and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. Emma has gained a lot of knowledge both locally and internationally and has completed the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Scholarship learning about wildlife crime. This prestigious award resulted in Emma travelling extensively within Canada and Australia. Emma has also completed an RUC George Cross Study in 2019 specialising in international trade in endangered species, cross border. Emma has been directly involved in cases linked to trade in animals, including but not limited to; monkeys, Ivory, owls and plants and she hopes to focus on some of this work in the coming years. Emma has successfully co-ordinated and/or assisted with international and local operations at the Northern Ireland scale. These included, but not limited to; Operation Paws for Thought (to stop illegal breeding, welfare and organised crime). Operation Wild Deer (to raise awareness and stop illegal deer poaching at identified crime “black-spots”). Operation Silver Fin (to stop illegal fish poaching including cross border). Operation Peregrine Watch use of Drones to protect Peregrines (won UK award in 2017), and Badger Baiting. In October 2022 Emma along with many partner organisations successfully obtained an award for Paws for Thought. Emma finds the quote by Winston Churchill inspiring “I like things to happen, and if they don’t happen I like to make them happen”

 

Suzanne Nally

Principal Officer, Wildlife Enforcement and Nature Protection
NPWS

Suzanne Nally leads the NPWS directorate responsible for overseeing the implementation of peatlands policy and various peatlands conservation programmes including the protected raised bog restoration programme. Also oversees the management of designated sites protection issues and the National Parks and Wildlife Services role as regulator under the Enhanced Decommission Rehabilitation and Restoration Scheme operated by Bord na Móna.

 

Martina O’Brien

Invasive Species Engagement Officer
National Biodiversity Data Centre

Responsibility for engaging with different sectors to coordinate actions that address the threat posed by Invasive Alien Species. The role is to support NPWS in implementing and reporting on delivery of the EU Regulations on Invasive Alien Species in Ireland. The National Biodiversity Data Centre works to make biodiversity data and information more freely available in order to better understand and assist the protection of Ireland’s biodiversity.

 

Micheál Ó Cinnéide

Retired Director
ex EPA, and Marine Institute

Dr. Micheál Ó Cinnéide, ex diplomat, ex director of EPA and ex director at the Marine Institute. With decades of service in the higher echelons of the Irish public and private sectors with a special focus on policy and advocacy for the environment, marine and sustainable development, Micheál brings a unique range of experiences to the National Park City Galway initiative. He spent a decade as a Director with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a decade as Director of the Marine Environment team at the Marine Institute, was ministerial adviser in the Department of Marine and worked for eight years in Cill Chiaráin Connemara with the Irish Seafood Producers Group Ltd. He served as a diplomat at the Irish Embassy in Cairo and at the Consulate General of Ireland in New York. Micheál was a co-founder of Corrib Beo Partnership, Galway, a voluntary group which promotes the sustainable development of the Corrib catchment; served as a Director with the Irish Forum on Natural Capital, www.naturalcapitalireland.com; and was co-founder/Director, Fondúireacht an Bhlascaoid (Blasket Island Foundation), a non profit cultural group dedicated to creating a National Historic Park on the Blasket Islands in Kerry. Galway is so lucky to have such a talented person who is dedicated to continuing his life-long service for the benefit of the public good and to promoting sustainability, protecting the environment and in tackling the problems brought on by Climate Change.

 

Francis O’ Donnell

Chief Executive Officer
Inland Fisheries Ireland

 

 

Mary Reynolds

Reformed landscape designer
We are the ARK

Mary is a reformed internationally acclaimed landscape designer who launched her career at the Chelsea flower show in 2002, the story of which was made into a 2016 movie called “Dare to be Wild”. Bestselling author, inspirational speaker, occasional television presenter and founder of the global movement “We are the ARK”, a practical groundswell movement that finally shifts the environmental game in nature’s favour. The time for gardens as canvases for our creative pleasure is over. Everything must change and if we are to save the planet, then we must start with our own patches of it. It’s time to reimagine our work as gardeners, to become leaders in the race to save our beautiful planet, to save ourselves. “I have come full circle with garden and landscape design. Now I want you to give any land under your care back to nature, to re-wild, to be ‘ARKed’ with Acts of Restorative Kindness to the earth.”

 

Marc Ruddock

Red Kite Project Manager
Golden Eagle Trust
 

Niall Sargent

Investigative reporter
Noteworthy

Niall Sargent: I am a multimedia Investigative reporter with Noteworthy, a community-led investigative journalism platform with The Journal. I specialise in issues related to climate change, biodiversity, ecosystem services and food production, and highly adept at using Freedom of Information and Access to Information on the Environment requests. I have also worked on various EU cross-border projects with reporters. I was previously the editor of The Green News – an online environmental news website – and was the first ever recipient of the Mary Raftery Journalism Fund Traineeship in Investigative Journalism with the Irish Times. I also have research experience with the Bureau of Investigative Journalism in the UK and with RTE – EcoEye and RTE Investigates. I hold an MA in Investigative Journalism from City University London, and was previously an intelligence analyst with INTERPOL before moving into the field of investigative reporting.

 

Jennifer Whitmore

TD – Spokesperson for Climate Action, Biodiversity and Energy
Social Democrats

Jennifer Whitmore TD is the party spokesperson on Climate and Biodiversity and Communications Networks, and on Children and Youth Affairs. She is a member of the Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action. She won a Dáil seat in Wicklow in the 2020 General Election. Prior to her election, Jennifer had been a Councillor for the Greystones Municipal District on Wicklow County Council since 2014. Jennifer spent 10 years in Australia where she worked as a senior policy analyst alongside government ministers, developing environmental law, water management and energy policy. In Ireland, she has worked extensively in fisheries and aquaculture. Jennifer says she become involved in politics to effect change at local and national level. A mother of four young children, she is a committed advocate for children and parents.

 

Alan Wolfe

Lecturer/Assistant Professor in veterinary pathology
School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin

Dr Wolfe qualified as a veterinary surgeon from the University of Glasgow in 2001. Before obtaining his veterinary degree, Dr Wolfe obtained an honors degree in science with a major in zoology, and then went on to complete a PhD in zoology, in which he examined aspects of the ecology of Irish Mountain Hares (Lepus timidus hibernicus) and rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). After qualifying as a veterinarian, Dr Wolfe worked for a number of years in both large and small animal practices in the UK before relocating to New Zealand for a number of years, where he was initially employed by the NZ government as a veterinary inspector and animal welfare officer. This was followed by 2 years at Massey University as a resident in anatomic pathology, with a focus on large animals. During this time Dr Wolfe also completed a research Masters in veterinary pathology investigating causes of perinatal mortality of Thoroughbred horses. Dr Wolfe then transferred to the University of Utrecht to complete two more years of study as a resident in pathology with a focus on exotics and small animals. Dr Wolfe was then employed as a veterinary pathologist at the state veterinary laboratories at Stormont in Belfast, before returning to UCD in 2013 and received tenure the following year. Dr Wolfe is the Director of the training programme for residents in anatomic pathology at UCD and all three of his residents have successfully passed the ECVP specialist qualifying exams.

 


2023 WILDLIFE CRIME & CONSERVATION CONFERENCE

Progress made since 2013

In 2013, Wildlife Rehabilitation Ireland hosted Ireland’s first Wildlife Crime Conference, which brought together members of An Garda Síochána, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), Inland Fisheries Ireland, veterinary practitioners, animal welfare and conservation groups and interested general public, to raise awareness of, and discuss the various issues surrounding, wildlife crime in Ireland.

Following on from this All-Ireland Wildlife Crime Conference, subsequent ones were held in 2015, 2020 (virtually due to the pandemic), 2022, and this one in 2023.

One of the aims of these conferences was to highlight the work ‘behind the scenes’ i.e. the lengths that dedicated wildlife crime enforcement staff such as NPWS Conservation staff go to in order to bring wildlife crime offenders to court.

If the general public and government agencies are made aware of the tireless work that goes on day and night in the fight against wildlife crime, it will encourage increased reporting and, hopefully, result in serious government investment in wildlife protection resources to respond to these reports.

Since 2013, these Wildlife Crime Conferences have consistently aimed to create real awareness of the ongoing efforts to combat wildlife crime. This awareness, both within the public and government agencies, must lead to more accurate reporting and a serious investment in the resources necessary to not only prevent but also successfully prosecute wildlife crime.

It’s important to give historical context to developments within the statutory agencies responsible for enforcement of the Wildlife Acts so below is a timeline of the past four years.

Timeline of Recent Wildlife Crime Developments in Ireland

The NPWS is the main State organisation working in the area of ecosystem and wildlife conservation. Established in 2003, it is an Executive Agency with statutory functions. The NPWS are designated as authorised officers under the 1976 Wildlife Acts and 2011 European Community (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations. The NPWS has been chronically under-resourced and under-funded for some time, a fact that has led to a national review and reform of its structure and responsibilities:

October 2020: The Programme for Government: Our Shared Future included the intention to review the ‘remit, status, and funding’ of the NPWS to ensure that the organisation was capable of carrying out its wildlife protection and enforcement activities. Also announced this month were plans to establish a specialised Irish wildlife crime unit.

March 2021: A public consultation was launched as part of the Strategic Review of the NPWS. Some of the main submission themes received from members of the public related to the creation of a well- resourced, ambitious, independent body capable of addressing Ireland’s most pressing wildlife conservation, protection, and restoration challenges, alongside support for the establishment of an Irish wildlife crime unit. From the online survey aspect of the consultation, the overriding consensus that emerged was that the NPWS had not realised its principal objectives.

June 2021: The Launch of Joint Protocol Between National Parks & Wildlife Service & An Garda Síochána on Wildlife Crime to tackle wildlife crime in Ireland, which established a close strategic relationship between the two bodies and allowed for cooperative operations and the sharing of data and resources. It was also outlined that a Wildlife Crime Liaison Inspector would be assigned in each Garda Division and NPWS staff would provide guidance related to the Wildlife Act to Garda personnel.

June 2021: Publication of the independent review of the NPWS by Stout and Ó Cinnéide ‘Review of the NPWS 2021: Final report on the key findings and recommendations’. The overwhelming message of the report was that the current form of the NPWS was not fit for purpose and that immediate change was needed, both in the context of reforming the NPWS and addressing biodiversity protection inadequacies on a national level. The report outlined that the chronic under-investment of the NPWS had contributed to the ‘failure to properly implement all aspects of the EU Nature Directives’ resulting in compliance proceedings against Ireland led by the European Commission. Altogether, the report recommended the comprehensive transformation of the NPWS to facilitate positive long-term change.

February 2022: Publication of the Kearney review ‘Reflect and Renew – A Review of the National Parks and Wildlife Service’ which used an ‘organisation, governance and systems lens’ to explore the NPWS. It gave a number of recommendations concerning NPWS governance structures, human resources, communications, and on a legislative level, the review called for the revision of the ‘statutory underpinnings for our National Parks and the work of the NPWS’ to strengthen, support, and define its operation and conservation functions.

May 2022: In light of the findings of the NPWS Strategic Review, the Strategic Action Plan for the renewal of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) 2022-2024 was announced. The multi-phase four-year plan aims to ensure that the NPWS is fully resourced with a ‘robust organisational structure to deliver fully on its mandate and play its part in Ireland’s response to the biodiversity emergency, on the national and international stage’.

June 2022: The original proposal to establish the Irish wildlife crime unit was withdrawn in June 2022. Alternatively, it was decided to increase the number of general wildlife rangers.

June 2023: Publication of the 1st NPWS Strategic Plan 2023-25. Informed by the reviews and public consultation that were carried out as part of the NPWS Strategic Review, the Strategic Plan sets out the NPWS core mission (to protect nature), its core values (including partnership, transparency, accountability) and key priorities and strategic goals until 2025.

(Niamh Guiry)

Wildlife Crime Conferences 2013 – 2022

The 2013 conference was a sobering event reflective of the wildlife crime situation in Ireland at that time; the 2015 conference, in contrast, was able to show that where there’s a will there’s a way, and presented a very much more positive and hopeful outlook.

The devastating mass poisoning of 23 Buzzards occurred in Dec 2019 in County Cork, using the banned pesticide carbofuran. This event in combination with continuous illegal persecution of wildlife led to the formation of PAW Ireland. PAW Ireland was established in 2020 with twelve member organisations. Its principle aims included increasing awareness of wildlife crime and advising on related issues and regulatory challenges.

The 2020 conference, despite being held online, had huge attendance and began on an extremely positive note with Minister Darragh O’Brien announcing the decision to create a Wildlife Crime Unit within the NPWS and a recruitment campaign for more staff “to fight wildlife crime”.

“We are in the midst of a biodiversity and climate crisis and this funding [in the 2021 budget] for NPWS reflects the Programme for Government response to both these areas. I am delighted to announce today that this increase in funding will allow me to establish a Wildlife Crime Unit within the NPWS in 2021.”

In Summer 2022 a decision was made to withdraw the Wildlife Crime Unit and instead increase the number of conservation rangers. This was raised as a disappointment at the joint PAW Ireland / WRI 2022 Wildlife Crime & Conservation Conference but the resounding sentiment from that conference was inspiration – that we can all ‘do more’ and make a difference in the challenge to conserve our precious wildlife heritage.

 

The 2023 Wildlife Crime & Conservation Conference

This Conference was jointly hosted by the Partnership for Action against Wildlife crime (PAW Ireland), Wildlife Rehabilitation Ireland (WRI), and the Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (USPCA).

This All-Ireland Wildlife Crime Conference was held in the Glenview Hotel in Wicklow on the 30th of September and the 1st of October and addressed by a diverse group of 24 eminent national and international individuals who spoke on two themes; Justice for Nature, and How to Nurture Nature.

DAY 1

Saturday’s Chairperson, Pádraic Fogarty (ecologist and environmental scientist) made an opening address on Saturday morning on the crucial need to protect wildlife for a healthy planet, our failings in this regard and how improvements could be made.

Suzanne Nally (Principal Officer for the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Wildlife Enforcement and Nature Protection) gave an overview of the NPWS’ role in the prevention and prosecution of wildlife crime, the new Wildlife Crime Directorate’s role in this, and how NPWS goes about its mission ‘to protect nature’.

Emma Meredith (PSNI Wildlife Liaison Officer) sent a video presentation describing the multiple successful operations to combat wildlife crime that have been undertaken by the PSNI and that she as the Wildlife Liaison Officer has been involved with.

Chief Inspector Kevin Kelly (Head of the National Wildlife Crime Unit UK) came over from the UK to explain the role of the National Wildlife Crime Unit, the rationale for this unit which provides dedicated investigative support to law enforcement agencies.

Jennifer Whitmore (TD Social Democrats, Spokesperson for Climate Action, Biodiversity and Energy) gave a motivational talk on the purpose and usefulness of politicians and parties for those who want to influence policy. She encouraged everyone to make their voice heard and that they are there to represent the people so not to underestimate the power of public pressure.

Chief Superintendent Ann Markey (Crime Legal, An Garda Síochána) and Det Sgt James King (Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation) provided an overview of AGS’s role in the investigation and prosecution of wildlife crime. They explained the role of xx Unit and talked of their collaboration and training with NPWS on wildlife crime.

Francis O’Donnell (CEO, Inland Fisheries Ireland) gave an impactful presentation about the importance of IFI’s work, the extraordinary lengths the IFI enforcement staff go to when investigating wildlife crimes, the large volume of prosecutions taken, the equipment they have and techniques they employ, and the dangers their staff face.

Damien Hannigan (Irish Deer Commission, PAW Ireland) explained how PAW Ireland came about, its mission to raise awareness of both the barbaric acts of wildlife crime, and those that the public may not know are illegal. He explained how the ‘PAW Ireland’ wildlife crime reporting App is free to download and is an invaluable tool to facilitate reporting of suspicious incidents to the authorities.

Ian Lyle and Alan Ward (USPCA Special Investigations Unit) shared a disturbing presentation on the true scale of in excess of 150 active badger baiters in Northern Ireland, where it takes place, the profile of the offenders, the suffering of the dogs and badgers involved, and how individuals end up committing these barbaric acts.

Probing questions were then taken by a panel of the speakers from the morning sessions, from an informed and passionate audience after the presentation by Kieran Buckley (Regional Manager, NPWS) on ‘Justice for Nature and the Nature of Justice’ – cases Kieran has taken and the hazards and difficulties in bringing them to a successful conclusion.

Dr Alan Wolfe (Veterinary pathologist UCD) provided a fascinating introduction to the work of a veterinary pathologist, what animals and injuries they come across and how they ascertain the manner in which the injuries were inflicted. He also explained how veterinary pathologists can play a vital role in bringing a wildlife crime prosecution case to a successful conclusion.

Mícheál Casey (Dept of Agriculture, Food & the Marine) gave an illustrated presentation on the vitally important aspect of the correct techniques for preserving evidence at a crime scene if it is to be used as evidence in a prosecution. A case can frustratingly be dismissed if someone neglects simple steps so this information is provided at each of our wildlife crime conferences.

The afternoon was dedicated to delegate group discussions followed by questions and answer sessions with a panel of speakers from the morning presentations, plus Dr Micheál Ó Cinnéide (NPWS Review joint author, Retired Director EPA & Marine Institute), Niamh Guiry (UCC School of Law) and Niall Sargent (Journalist – Noteworthy).

The first session was ‘Reflect and Renew – can we provide justice for nature’, the other ‘What’s stopping us from addressing wildlife crime in Ireland: challenges and opportunities’. The delegate discussions roused strong feelings and resulted in challenging questions that were all discussed in detail with the panel.

The public were looking for answers regarding the Wildlife Crime Unit, suggesting more interagency and NGO cooperation and information sharing, and that work has been done but there is much more to do if we are to adequately protect and provide justice for wildlife.

To bring the day beautifully to a close, Marc Ruddock (Red Kite Project Manager for the Golden Eagle Trust) led a Red kite walk and talk in Avoca, Co Wicklow where delegates got to watch the spectacular display of the resident kites coming in to roost for the night.

 

DAY 2

Chairperson for Sunday was Karen Ciesielski (Irish Environmental Network CEO), who opened the ‘Conservation’ day of the Conference with the rationale for the urgent need to address our environmental crisis.

Dr Micheál Ó Cinnéide (NPWS Review joint author, Retired Director EPA & Marine Institute) gave a positive presentation – that attitudes are changing for the better with regard to protecting biodiversity, this he based on the views of the individuals involved in the momentous ‘Citizen’s Assembly on Biodiversity Loss’

Dr Brendan Dunford (Burrenbeo Trust) gave an uplifting and motivating talk about the activities, involvement and positive benefits of the community stewardship projects that the Trust run in Co Clare, and how they can be, and now are, being replicated and rolled out nationwide.

James Orr (Friends of the Earth NI) gave a moving talk on the situation of Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland. It’s a cultural jewel and an ecological gem but is being destroyed especially over the past 10yrs by phosphorus and ammonia pollution – agricultural intensification. This is an ecological disaster and a wildlife crime that has been ongoing for decades by the state of a so called ‘protected’ site. What’s happening to Lough Neagh is microcosm of what’s happening to the planet.

Martina O’Brien (Invasive Species Engagement Officer, National Biodiversity Data Centre) told the delegates about the often unseen or neglected impacts of Alien Invasive Species and the threats the different species pose to Ireland’s wildlife.

Dr Michael Gunn (Veterinary Surgeon and retired Director of Laboratories DAFM, WRI Director) talked about how the Lisbon Treaty in 2009 recognised that since animals are sentient beings, their welfare requirements should be met, however scientific reports may be needed to support this before wildlife receives legal welfare protection to supplement the existing Wildlife protection Acts. He also explained the requirements for, and opportunities provided by a professionally run wildlife rehabilitation and referral facility.

Dr Peter Doran (Environmental Justice Network Ireland, Senior Lecturer, School of Law – Queens NI) gave a presentation on the popular topic/movement of ‘Rights of Nature’. He spoke about the origins, development and possibilities for the Island of Ireland after the amazing achievements already made elsewhere in the world.

Niall Sargent (Journalist ‘Noteworthy’) explained the importance of journalists, the role of the media as a custodian for the environment, that investigative journalists can hold organisations/individuals to account, they can give a voice to the natural world, and how best to provide the information journalists need to create a powerful story that will lead to positive action for the environment.

Ronan Hannigan (The Eco Restoration Trust, and Golden Eagle Trust) The impressive achievements of the Golden Eagle Trust, Ireland’s reintroduction projects, and how conservation ultimately is all about public engagement and changing attitudes of state bodies, hunting groups, and the general public if reintroductions are to succeed.

Mary Reynolds (reformed landscape designer, The Ark project) gave a passionate talk. It is vital that the world wake up and start caring for nature, and weaving a patchwork of safe havens for nature ‘Arks’ is an easily achievable beginning that we can all do in our own areas, parks, schools or gardens.

Dr David Duffy (Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience -University of Florida, and WRI Director) got everyone thinking about the vast possibilities for the research he’s undertaking. Dave explained his work in Florida and recently in Ireland on environmental DNA and the huge role it could play in biodiversity and wildlife monitoring and conservation.

The afternoon was delegate group discussions on the theme of conservation today. Questions were discussed on the subjects of ‘Debunking sustainability myths and misconceptions’, and ‘From recommendations to realisations’ These were lively sessions chaired by Chair John Gibbons (Environmental journalist) and Fintan Kelly (Irish Environmental Network) and discussed with the panel of speakers from throughout the day.

John Gibbons provided the final talk of the Conference – a hard-hitting dose of reality about how the media is portraying the climate crisis, how there is a communications failure to the public over global warming, and that we need courage not hope to face climate change.

Over the course of the two days the delegates were able to chat to and purchase crafts from various wildlife charities and impressive wildlife artists during the networking coffee breaks.

It was an extremely successful event with excellent feedback, an amazing line up of speakers who are leaders in their fields and who generously gave up their weekend to provide fascinating insights and answers to thought provoking and frank questions.


Thanks to the NPWS for a donation of €2000 towards Conference costs


Take a look at our Conference Synopsis 2023 video in pictures!