High visibility patrols and checkpoints to combat illegal hunting

In response to an increase in reports of lurching incidents around the county, an operation involving Navan Gardaí and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has been launched involving high visibility patrolling and joint strategic checkpoints.

Inspector Alan Roughneen of Navan Garda Station who is leading the operation said: “Reducing the fear of crime and preventing members of the community from becoming victims of crime is of fundamental importance to An Garda Síochána.

"In recent months there have been increased reports of individuals using ‘lurchers’, hunting on lands around the country without permission of the landowners. A lurcher is a cross-bred dog commonly kept as a hunting dog. It is believed that some of these individuals or groups of individuals may be engaged not just in illegal hare coursing, but also more general rural crime including theft and burglary. This is causing fear among rural dwellers and members of the farming community across the Meath Division."

He explained that an operation has been initiated by Navan Gardaí and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to disrupt such activity by the use of high visibility patrolling, joint strategic checkpoints, and active ‘face to face’ engagement with individuals engaged in ‘lurching’ and other illegal activity.

"Key to running this operation is the joint cooperative approach between An Garda Siochána, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and local Community Alert groups. Gardaí and the NPWS have been running the operation on a weekly basis throughout the month of December and it is anticipated that it will continue into the early part of the New Year. Of course it’s important to note that not everyone who enters private lands is doing so with criminal intent, such as anglers and hillwalkers.”

Crime Prevention Officer Sergeant Patrick Smyth is offering the following advice to landowners. “If possible, land owners should not confront any intruders in the first place, especially if they feel there is any potential risk to their personal safety. However, if direct contact is made, ask the group or individual to leave the property, do not engage with banter or abusive comments.

"It's important to dial 999 or 112 rather than the local Garda station. If possible and it is safe to do so, make note of registration numbers, colour and makes of vehicles involved. "Please note the importance of keeping gates closed, using sensor lighting and suitable signage, all of which could deter a potential criminal in the first place.”

Lobinstown Councillor Paddy Meade has been highlighting lurching for some time and the issue was discussed during a recent emergency meeting on rural crime held in Donore.

"It was made clear on the night the meeting welcome hunting and coursing where farmers consented to land use but sadly all hunters and coursers where been given a bad name by a small criminal element which appear to be connected to illegal lurching which appeared to be happening on the same day or days before robberies in some areas," said Cllr Meade.

"A key message coming out of the meeting was that rural dwellers had to get into the habit of calling 999 or 112 when they see something suspicious and to no longer call Navan or their local Garda Station.

"Many farmers expressed frustration at feeling the law was more on the criminals' side and how there was an exchange of ideas about how best to approach trespassers on one's land, however the first step should be to call 999," he said.

It was also suggested that Garda should analyse "hot spots” in the county where unnotarized hare coursing was occurring, often at the same times on the same day, week after week, and that this information could perhaps lead to arrests.