The theft of a hedge cutter in Co. Offaly is currently being investigated by Gardaí in the county.
The theft occurred overnight on Wednesday, February 28 and in the early hours of Thursday, February 29.
It is confirmed that Tullamore Gardaí are investigating the stolen Ghedini hedge cutter, which was taken from the Walsh Island area.
Gardaí are urging those with any sightings or information on the stolen hedge cutter to contact Tullamore Garda Station on 057-9327600.
The annual hedge cutting season has come to a close today, Friday, March 1, with the arrival of the nesting and breeding season.
Despite calls for a temporary extension to cut hedges due to recent wet weather conditions which makes it difficult for machinery to travel on fields without causing damage, the season has closed today.
Under the Wildlife Act, the cutting, grubbing, burning or other destruction of “vegetation growing in any hedge or ditch” is illegal between March 1 and August 31.
However, there are limited exceptions in the “ordinary course” of agriculture or forestry, the destruction of noxious weeds, and cutting roadside hedges for road safety reasons.
Hedgerows provide botanical diversity as well as food and shelter for pollinators, mammals and other animals, most notably birds, and also act as corridors that connect habitats.
Under the EU Birds Directive, Ireland is required to take measures to establish a general system of protection for birds, including the following:
- Preventing the deliberate killing of protected wild birds;
- Preventing the deliberate destruction of or damage to nests and eggs; and
- Preventing the deliberate disturbance of protected wild birds, particularly during the period of breeding and rearing.
The purpose of the closed season for hedge cutting as set down in the act is to ensure that hedgerows are provided with specific protection.
The current closed period is based primarily on the generally recognised nesting and breeding period for wild birds, according to the department.