Judge makes ‘longest tail’ quip at tail end of shot deer case

A “tail” issue in a case involving the shooting of a native red Killarney stag was unresolved three and a half years after the offence and almost two years since it came before the courts – prompting a judge and a defence solicitor to observe the red deer case had “the longest tail” ever seen

The highly protected animal, which the court heard was part of a unique and ancient species, was shot outside Killarney in late 2011. In September 2013 Richard Cullinane (37), of Lisnacon, Kanturk, Co Cork, pleaded guilty to hunting and killing a red stag.

The charges were brought by the minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht under the Wildlife Acts.

The maximum fine for the offence is €635 and/or three months in prison.

Mr Cullinane had agreed to pay what the court heard as “atonement to society” for the single offence including €750 to the Department of Heritage (for use in Killarney National Park) and €2,500 to a court poor box . This was done promptly.

The court was told the Killarney red deer herd was unique and could not be replaced by red deer from other areas.

Mr Cullinane took the head and neck of a red deer stag to a taxidermist to be stuffed and mounted.

DNA tests showed it matched the hindquarters of a stag found by a wildlife officer in a field at Loo Bridge, Glenflesk, on November 7th, 2011, the previous sitting had been told.

Pádraig O’Connell, solicitor for Mr Cullinane, said his client was the father of a young child, was in gainful employment, had never been in trouble before, had no previous convictions, and was of good background and character and had made “an error of judgement”.

He co-operated fully and immediately offered to replace the deer but that was not possible.

Mr O’Connell said the matter was not finalised because the State was seeking to withdraw Mr Cullinane’s hunting licence. His client was contesting the application but, despite his “repeated” requests, the legal documents on which the application is based still had not been furnished.

“This is a tail issue. It is an application by the State,” Mr O’Connell remarked.

“It’s the longest tail I ever saw, “ Judge James O’Connor said.

Judge O’Connor agreed to put the matter back to July.