Injunction sought against Ministers over gun licences

THE National Association of Regional Game Councils is taking a High Court action against the Government seeking an injunction…

THE National Association of Regional Game Councils is taking a High Court action against the Government seeking an injunction to prevent shooting Iicences being issued to tourist shooters.

The action would be directed against the Minister for Justice, Ms Owen, as well as the Minister responsible for heritage and wildlife, Mr Higgins.

Mr Des Crofton, director of the association, said foreign tourists were "perpetrating abuses against Irish wildlife". He said his organisation had established that foreign tourists were regularly breaching Irish firearm rules.

Mr Crofton has instructed solicitors to issue proceedings against the Ministers in an action concerning the administration of Irish firearms legislation to tourist shooters.

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It is understood the association is seeking a declaration from the High Court that both Ministers are acting ultra vires when they issue firearms licences to non-nationals under the current system.

The association had devoted much time and expense over the past 10 years to bringing these facts to the attention of successive governments, Mr Crofton said.

"Although our organisation has been given commitments by the authorities, no action has been taken against foreign tourists breaking the law." He also criticised Mr Higgins for failing to act on repeated complaints made against tourist shooters.

Spokesmen for the two Departments told The Irish Times they could not comment on the court proceedings as they had no information on the pending actions.