Midlands Man Receives Suspended Sentence For Possession Of Two Dead Buzzards

Thursday, 21 October 2021 17:19

The Judge said it was "an example of a disgusting lack of respect in an outrageous act of wildlife crime".

A Laois man has been given a three month suspended prison sentence for the possession of two dead Buzzards, which were found strung up on his land.

Desmond Crawford from the Roskelton, Mountrath, Co. Laois pleaded guilty to the unlawful possession of two dead Buzzards contrary to Section 45 (2) & 45 (7) of the Wildlife Acts.

The offence took place on the 19th of April 2020 at Clonadacasey, Mountrath, Co. Laois.

In her summation, Judge Staines expressed her abhorrence at the undignified manner in which two beautiful birds were displayed, saying it showed no respect whatsoever.

It was, she said, "an example of a disgusting lack of respect in an outrageous act of wildlife crime".

Judge Staines convicted Mr. Crawford of the possession of the two dead buzzards under Section 45 (2) and 45 (7) of the Wildlife Acts and imposed a three-month sentence of imprisonment, which she suspended on the Accused’s own bond for a period of one year.