Thursday 29 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. 8522Wildlife protection offence · Co. Laois

Two plead guilty over destruction of 57 House Martin nests in Laois

Hazel Lindsay, a woman, and Gerard Bracken, a 63-year-old man, both pleaded guilty to causing injury to protected birds and to wilful destruction of wild bird nests at Cullenagh, Co Laois, in July 2025. The offences involved 57 House Martin nests removed from a house due for sale, and the NPWS estimated that 205 birds died. The judge applied the Probation Act, with Lindsay to bring €8,000 and Bracken €2,000 to charity to the adjourned hearing. The latest development is that the matter is adjourned to Portlaoise District Court on September 18, when those payments are due.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted21 Jul
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Fifty-seven House Martin nests were removed from a house due for sale.
Where
The offences took place at Cullenagh, Co Laois.
When
The offences took place in July 2025.
Cause
The works were carried out to prepare the house for sale.
Other details
  • Hazel Lindsay is a woman who works for an estate agent, and she directed Gerard Bracken to clean the house.
  • Gerard Bracken is a 63-year-old man.
  • Gerard Bracken returned to the house the day after a tenant's complaint email and destroyed more nests.
  • The NPWS estimated that 205 birds died.
Charges
  • Hazel Lindsay and Gerard Bracken pleaded guilty to causing injury to protected birds.
  • Hazel Lindsay and Gerard Bracken pleaded guilty to wilful destruction of wild bird nests.
Investigation
The NPWS received a complaint on July 25 about the destroyed nests.
Sentence
  • The judge applied the Probation Act, subject to payment of money to charity.
  • Hazel Lindsay is to bring €8,000 and Gerard Bracken is to bring €2,000 to the adjourned hearing.
In court
The matter was adjourned to Portlaoise District Court on September 18.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatHazel Lindsay and Gerard Bracken pleaded guilty to causing injury to protected birds and to wilful destruction of wild bird nests. (kildarenow.com)
  • whatBetween 57 House Martin nests were blasted off a house due for sale. (kildarenow.com)
  • whereThe offences took place at Cullenagh in Laois. (kildarenow.com)
  • whenThe offences took place in July 2025. (kildarenow.com)
  • causeThe works were carried out to prepare the house for sale. (kildarenow.com)
  • investigationThe NPWS received a complaint on July 25 about the destroyed nests. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtThe matter was adjourned to Portlaoise District Court on September 18. (kildarenow.com)
  • sentenceThe judge applied the Probation Act subject to payment of money to charity. (kildarenow.com)
  • sentenceLindsay is to bring €8,000 and Bracken is to bring €2,000 to the adjourned hearing. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherThe NPWS estimated that 205 birds were killed. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherBracken returned to the house the day after the tenant's complaint email and destroyed more nests. (kildarenow.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 21 Jul2026
    Convictedkildarenow.com, first report
    Man and woman in court after 57 nests ‘blasted’ off Midlands house

    Reports the guilty pleas, the Probation Act arrangement, the payments each defendant must make, the estimated bird deaths and the adjournment date. Not previously covered in the existing cases.

    convicted, Hazel Lindsay, female, named, irish (judged from name)Hazel Lindsayconvicted, Gerard Bracken, 63, male, named, irish (judged from name)Gerard Bracken