Friday 30 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 16993Illegal trapping of protected wild birds · Co. Limerick · 7 Jun 2024

Protected wild birds seized at Limerick city property

On Friday 7 June 2024, National Parks and Wildlife Service staff and gardai seized protected song birds and trapping equipment during a search warrant at a property in Limerick city, County Limerick. The seizure was part of an operation targeting the trapping of finches, which are reportedly caught with a sticky substance placed on twigs or branches. No suspect is named in the reports, and no arrest or charge has been reported. The latest development is the report published on 10 June 2024 describing the seizure.

  1. Reported10 Jun
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Protected song birds and trapping equipment were seized at a property in Limerick city.
Where
The seizure took place at a property in Limerick city, County Limerick.
When
The seizure took place on a Friday, 7 June 2024, and was reported on 10 June 2024.
Cause
Birds are reportedly caught by putting a sticky substance on a twig or branch.
Investigation
  • The seizure was part of an operation targeting the trapping of finches.
  • NPWS staff and gardai removed the birds and equipment while executing a search warrant.
  • A County Limerick garda inspector described the operation as successful.
Charges
No suspect is named and no arrest or charge has been reported.
Other details
  • The birds are reportedly sold on the black market and can fetch high prices.
  • The NPWS says all wild birds are protected by law and their trapping and keeping is prohibited.
7 statements extracted from the articles
  • whenThe seizure took place on a Friday. (limerickleader.ie)
  • causeBirds are reportedly caught by putting a sticky substance on a twig or branch. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationThe seizure was part of an operation targeting the trapping of finches. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationSong birds and trapping equipment were removed from the property while a search warrant was executed. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationA County Limerick garda inspector described the operation as successful. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe birds are reportedly sold on the black market and can fetch high prices. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe NPWS says all wild birds are protected by law and their trapping and keeping is prohibited. (limerickleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 10 Jun2024
    Reportedlimerickleader.ie, first report
    Gardai swoop on protected wild bird trappers in Limerick

    Reports a single search-warrant seizure of protected wild birds and trapping equipment at one Limerick city property, with the birds reportedly trapped with a sticky substance and sold on the black market. No suspect, arrest or charge is named.