A Co. Offaly landowner has been fined €10,500 by a judge at a district court for the "destruction of vegetation" which included a 283-year-old oak tree.

Denis Hogan of Kyleshinaun, Cloughjordan, Co. Tipperary was prosecuted as a result of a case taken by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Hogan was prosecuted for the "destruction of vegetation on land not then cultivated" in contravention of the Wildlife Act at a sitting of Tullamore District Court.

Judge Nicola Jane Andrews heard that Denis Hogan had "procured Thomas Standish of Lisnere House, Roscrea, Co. Offaly and Brendan Higgins of Garraun Summerhill Roscrea, Co. Offaly to carry out works using a mechanically propelled vehicle". 

These "works" which took place at Cangort Demesne, Shinrone, Co. Offaly in July 2023, involved the removal of 0.725ha of mature, native hardwood, woodland and the felling of 16 mature trees growing in hedges, ditches or "lands not then cultivated".

According to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage the 16 trees were estimated to be around 200 years old, but one of the trees was a 283-year-old oak tree. 

Court

Judge Nicola Jane Andrews convicted and fined landowner, Denis Hogan €10,500 at a sitting of Tullamore District Court on February 13, 2026.

At an earlier sitting of Tullamore District Court on March 13, 2025, Judge Andrews convicted and fined Thomas Standish €7,000 while Brendan Higgins was convicted and fined €250. 

Section 40 of the Wildlife Act "prohibits the cutting, grubbing or destruction" of any vegetation growing on any land not then cultivated or in hedgerows or ditches from March 1 to August 31.

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has detailed that ban is in force during the bird nesting season to protect important habitats for birds as they are nesting and rearing fledglings and also to protect the wide ranging biodiversity from wildflowers to insect life.

The Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity Christopher O’Sullivan said today (Monday, April 20) that landowners, contractors and the general public need to be aware of their responsibilities during the bird nesting season.

"Wildlife crime causes enormous damage and destruction to irreplaceable natural habitats and vulnerable wildlife.

“Furthermore, incidences of wildlife crime are taken seriously by the authorities and often involve significant penalties," Minister O'Sullivan added.

He said that people all over the country are working to "protect, conserve and restore nature" but criminal acts undermine that progress.

"Where we see nature under threat, we can and will act,” the minister warned.