Five men appeared at Cork Circuit Appeals Court appealing the severity of fines imposed on them for hunting on privately owned lands with dogs in contravention of the Wildlife Act.

Michael Foley, (43), 30 Awbeg, Rivervalley, Mallow, Co. Cork, Anthony Reilly, (32), 32 Ballinure Avenue, Mahon, Cork, Joseph O’ Reilly, (30), 32 Ballinure Avenue, Mahon, Cork, Timmy O’ Reilly, (45), 3 Meelagh Drive, Mahon, Cork, and Patrick O’ Reilly, (56), 32 Ballinure Avenue, Mahon, Cork.

The court heard from Sergeant John Kelleher said that at 10.10am on March 14, 2021, at Kilboy, Riverstick, Co. Cork, gardaí observed a large number of men spread out across two fields hunting with dogs.