Sunday 1 November 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. 21757Wildlife Act offence (hunting protected wild birds) · Co. Laois

Two convicted of hunting protected wild birds in Laois

Video recordings showed Clifford Roe and Ian Fairbrother, both men from Co Laois, with an unidentified third man behind a camouflage hide with shotguns, and plastic rook decoys and dead, wounded, and maimed rooks were found a short distance from the hide. The National Parks and Wildlife Service took the case after both men refused to co-operate with officers. On 20 March 2023, both pleaded guilty at Portlaoise District Court, with Roe convicted on three summonses and fined €1,500 and Fairbrother convicted on two summonses and fined €1,000. All other charges were withdrawn and both were given six months to pay.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted27 Mar
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Video recordings showed both accused with an unidentified third man behind a camouflage hide with shotguns, and plastic rook decoys and dead, wounded, and maimed rooks were found a short distance from the hide.
  • A crow-caller was worn around the neck of Clifford Roe at the time of the incident.
Investigation
The National Parks and Wildlife Service took the case.
Charges
  • Clifford Roe pleaded guilty to three summonses for using an artificial decoy, a crow caller, and hunting protected wild birds.
  • Ian Fairbrother pleaded guilty to two summonses for using an artificial decoy and hunting protected wild birds.
In court
  • The two men appeared before Portlaoise District Court on 20 March 2023.
  • An NPWS official told Judge Alec Gabbett the methods used were illegal, describing the actions as recreational shooting with no evidence of crop damage.
Sentence
The judge convicted Roe on all three summonses with fines totalling €1,500 and convicted Fairbrother on the two summonses with a fine of €1,000, both given six months to pay.
Other details
  • Both accused refused to co-operate when NPWS officers asked them to explain their actions and refused to divulge the name of the third person seen in the video recordings.
  • All other charges were withdrawn by the prosecution.
  • Minister of State for Heritage Malcolm Noonan stated all wild birds are protected by law.
15 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatVideo recordings showed both accused with an unidentified third man behind a camouflage hide with shotguns. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatPlastic rook decoys and dead, wounded, and maimed rooks were found a short distance from the hide. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA crow-caller was worn around the neck of Mr Roe at the time of the incident. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe National Parks and Wildlife Service took the case. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeClifford Roe pleaded guilty to three summonses for using an artificial decoy, a crow caller, and hunting protected wild birds. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeIan Fairbrother pleaded guilty to two summonses for using an artificial decoy and hunting protected wild birds. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe two men appeared before Portlaoise District Court on 20 March 2023. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtAn NPWS official told Judge Alec Gabbett the methods used were illegal, describing the actions as recreational shooting with no evidence of crop damage. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe judge convicted Mr Roe on all three summonses and imposed fines totalling €1,500. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe judge convicted Mr Fairbrother on the two summonses and imposed a fine of €1,000. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceBoth accused were given six months to pay. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherBoth accused refused to co-operate when NPWS officers asked them to explain their actions. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherBoth accused refused to divulge the name of the third person seen in the video recordings. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherAll other charges were withdrawn by the prosecution. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMinister of State for Heritage Malcolm Noonan stated all wild birds are protected by law. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 27 Mar2023
    Convictedirishtimes.com, first report
    Two convicted of hunting protected wild birds

    Reports the convictions and fines imposed at Portlaoise District Court, details of the evidence (video recordings, decoys, dead rooks), and a statement from the Minister of State for Heritage.

    convicted, Clifford Roe, male, named, irish (judged from name)Clifford Roeconvicted, Ian Fairbrother, male, named, irish (judged from name)Ian Fairbrother