Two men who are “old enough to know better” have been convicted for illegally driving scramblers in the Wicklow Mountains.
The men pleaded guilty to breaching habitats regulations at Carlow Court on March 2.
Recreational use of all-terrain vehicles like scramblers and quads is prohibited in Special Areas of Conservation.
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The National Parks and Wildlife Service took the case against the Wicklow men because of the damage scramblers can cause fragile habitats in the SAC.
It followed a targeted patrol with An Garda Síochána on November 29, 2020.
A spokesperson for the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage said in a statement: “The men were observed travelling onto the surrounding hills with their scrambler vehicles.
“They entered into the Wicklow Mountains Special Area of Conservation 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 + VAT to be shared.
“Patsy Glennon, BL for the defendants, 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’.”
It’s understood this is the second time someone has been convicted for driving an illegal vehicle in the Wicklow Mountains SAC at Carlow District Court.
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