Kildare worker admits hunting foxes with dogs

A construction worker pleaded guilty to hunting foxes with lurcher dogs on land in Laois.

Michael Gabriel Meaney (28) of 59 Friars Green, Tullow Road, Carlow, admitted entering land for the purposes of hunting wild animals at Ballylusk, Ballyfin on November 22, 2025.

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said Gardaí received a report of four people trespassing on lands with dogs on the date in question.

He said Garda Sosinska spotted a white Citroen Berlingo van leaving the area and travelling in the direction of Mountrath on the date in question. She stopped the van and found the defendant wasn’t wearing a seatbelt.

Sgt Kirby said there were other people in the van including a man in the back with no restraint or seat to sit in. He said there were also five lurcher dogs in the van.

He said landowners stated that “they did not give permission to hunt on the lands”. He said descriptions of those involved matched with the defendant. The man has 55 previous convictions, he added.

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client had “nothing previous for anything of this nature”. She said the man was working in construction in Newbridge.

He would “readily admit he had been out hunting foxes”, she told Judge Andrew Gubbins. She said the man had informed her that he no longer associates with the other individuals who were there and he is “not involved in anything of this nature now”.

“It is not alleged that any harm was caused on the day,” said Ms Fitzpatrick.

She said there were no aggravating factors and the court was limited to a fine for the offence. “He has €500 here in court,” she said.

Judge Gubbins convicted the man, fined him €300 and ordered him to pay €500 to the Irish Wildlife Trust. The man paid over €500.

“He very much appreciates the chance,” said Ms Fitzpatrick.