The illegal use of scrambler bikes within the Wicklow Mountains Special Area of Conservation (SAC) has resulted in convictions and fines for two men.
At Carlow District Court, Chris Teasdale of Corragh, Co. Wicklow and Colm Flynn of Crosschaple, Blessington, Co. Wicklow, pleaded guilty to breaches of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011-2021.
The SAC lands are protected by ministerial direction and the recreational use of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), such as scramblers and quads, is therefore specifically prohibited.
Scrambler bike use
Both men pleaded guilty breaches of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011-2021, specifically Regulation 29, the use of an ATV in the Wicklow Mountains Special Area of Conservation (SAC), and Regulation 5, failure to comply or obstruct an officer in the exercise of their duties.
Barrister William Maher presented the case for the state. A National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) ranger represented the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and outlined the evidence to the court.
The ranger highlighted how damaging scrambler bike use can be to the fragile habitats in the SAC.
The NPWS ranger stated that on November 29, 2020, several NPWS rangers, supported by An Garda Síochána, were engaged in a targeted patrol to deal with illegal use of ATVs on the Wicklow Mountains SAC.
The men were observed leaving Chris Teasdale’s house and travelling onto the surrounding hills with their scrambler vehicles.
They entered into the Wicklow Mountains SAC and travelled an estimated 7km across protected habitat causing damage to the vulnerable blanket bog habitat.
District Court Judge Geraldine Carthy convicted the men on both counts and said in this instance she would not impose a custodial sentence, but imposed a fine of €1,000 for the first matter and €500 for the second matter for each of the men.
Judge Carthy also awarded costs of €1,500 plus VAT to be shared.
Defence barrister, Patsy Glennon, made a plea against conviction and suggested that his clients would be happy to donate a sum towards a relevant wildlife charity.
Judge Carthy rejected his plea and stood firm on conviction, citing that his clients were “old enough and wise enough to know better”.
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has said that this is the second successful case for the illegal use of ATVs before Carlow District Court in the last month.