'A seasonal scourge': Man in court for lurcher dog hunting in Limerick village

A YOUNG MAN has come before Limerick’s Newcastle West District Court for lurcher dog hunting without a permit. 

Prosecuting Inspector Gearóid Thompson said “this type of offence is quite prevalent this time of year in Limerick”, and said that lurching is “a seasonal scourge” in the county. 

The court heard that Patrick Delaney, 23, with a home address at Carrowlough, county Tipperary, was illegally hunting on land with ten people and six dogs at Kingsland, Bruree.

It was alleged that there was an awards ceremony taking place in the field for lurching - with a cash prize for the winner. 

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Garda Buckley attended the scene, and the group asked the garda to present the prize. This was described to Judge Carol Anne Coolican as “quite an unusual transaction, really”. 

Mr Delaney was previously convicted of hunting and birding without a licence in 2023 in Ennis District court. 

Judge Coolican said “he can’t continue to behave like this”, and directed a Probation Report to be prepared for the man, with a court date set for April 16, 2026. 

- Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme