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The Journal
8 hours ago
- The Journal
Thousands of images of Irish women and girls uploaded to site containing sexual threats
GARDAÍ HAS BEEN urged to investigate an online forum where thousands of images of girls and women from across Ireland have been posted without their knowledge. The pictures appear to have been taken from both the public and private social media accounts of those targeted, with some posted alongside sexual threats. They appeared on content sharing site Reddit in an Irish subgroup which encourages its 3,200 plus members to 'trade' images of 'IRL (in real life) girls' for sexual gratification. Many of those images include teenagers in their school uniforms, alongside their names, ages and locations. Their schools are also easily identifiable. Other pictures were of women, some clearly taken without consent. Most of the content was published alongside misogynistic, sexist and explicit comments, most of which is too offensive to publish. One post included an image of a woman getting into a car, clearly taken without her knowledge. It was uploaded to the Irish subgroup, where one user encouraged others to share similar images. The group specifically targeted women and girls from the north and south of Ireland, with some posts listing victims by county. Requests were also made to upload images of females from specific towns and cities. After being made aware of the forum by The Journal Investigates , Clíona Saidléar, Executive Director of the Rape Crisis Network Ireland urged gardaí to investigate. She said that due to the seriousness of the content involved, she would be unable to provide further comment. 'This is a matter for gardaí and I would urge them to investigate,' Saidléar said. In a statement issued to The Journal Investigates , a Reddit spokesperson confirmed it had now taken down the group, which had been active since August 2024. 'Non-consensual intimate media has no place on Reddit,' a spokesperson said. 'We prohibit this content and have teams, tools, and processes dedicated to dedicating and removing it. In line with our policies, the community in question was banned.' PSNI 'will take action' The Journal Investigates also contacted gardaí about the activities of the online forum. However, at the time of publication, it had not responded to requests for comment. However, in a statement issued to The Journal Investigates , the PSNI said it will 'take action if images of women and girls of an explicit nature are shared online' and vowed to investigate 'any harmful threats made'. PSNI Detective Superintendent (DS) Lindsay Fisher said: 'We recently launched our Power to Change campaign which is aimed at placing a societal focus on those who objectify and disrespect women. Advertisement 'The main purpose of this campaign is a call to action, where boys and men are asked to speak out against misogynistic behaviour and talk to friends or family who may be engaging either in person or online in this way. DS Fisher added that 'all women and girls should be free and feel safe' to use social media without being 'the subject of abuse and objectification'. 'As a Police Service we will take action if images of women and girls of an explicit nature are shared online, and will investigate any harmful threats made.' Reddit, where users can create niche online communities called 'subreddits', allows users to share content, discuss topics and interact with others who share similar interests. Each subreddit has its own set of rules, and is moderated by self-appointed 'community members'. The subgroup in question was set up and moderated by one account since August last year. That account, under an anonymous username, claimed to be a male from Ireland who had just celebrated his 18th birthday. Some using the group also claimed to be still in school, with some organising 'trades' of images on other platforms. One disturbing post, named a school in the north of Ireland and requested 'stories' of girls aged '15 or 16'. In another, users were asked to upload pictures of their female relatives. File image of the Garda Commissioner Drew Harris. In 2020, gardaí launched an investigation into the alleged uploading of images and videos of Irish women and girls, without their consent, to a number of online forums. It was after advocacy and lobbying group Victims Alliance claimed tens of thousands of images had been shared, many including minors. However, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris later said there have been no formal complaints made of image-based sexual abuse in relation to the images. He also confirmed that around 10,000 images had been assessed, but none contained 'images of child abuse within them'. — Patricia Devlin is an investigative reporter with The Journal Investigates . Our investigative unit is dedicated to lifting the lid on how Ireland works. This takes time and it takes resources. Find out how you can help: Support The Journal Investigates Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Journal
6 days ago
- General
- The Journal
Majority of councils miss farm inspection targets vital for water protection
MORE THAN HALF of local authorities failed to meet farm inspection targets for slurry spreading and management, The Journal Investigates can reveal. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set targets for local authorities in 2024 with the aim of increasing the number of inspections carried out on farms and protecting water bodies from agricultural run-off. However, our investigative team has found that 15 councils failed to hit the targets set for them by the EPA, more than half of the 28 local authorities included in the targets. The Journal Investigates obtained farm inspection figures from each local authority environmental department around the same time these figures were reported to the EPA. The EPA is due to publish a report on this towards the end of the year. Seven councils also conducted less than 50% of their target inspections, highlighting a significant level of non-compliance among local authorities. The EPA did not specifically respond to questions on whether local authorities will face sanctions for not meeting these targets. A spokesperson did say that local authority performance is monitored by the agency through 'ongoing compliance meetings and audits'. An investigation by The Journal Investigates last year found a serious lack of farm inspections taking place in the years prior to the targets being set. The arrival of these targets meant a majority of councils were faced with having to more than double their farm inspections in 2024, with the increase required to meet EPA targets in some areas surpassing 600%. Two local authorities also had to increase their inspections tenfold to reach targets. Our investigation last September also revealed that councils were falling behind in their inspection programmes. These new figures show that many of these councils weren't able to catch up in the final few months of last year, missing their inspection targets. Inspections needed to protect water bodies Targets for farm inspections were set by the EPA for the first time in 2024 as part of the National Agricultural Inspection Programme. The programme aims to protect water quality from agricultural activities and allocates a specified number of inspections to each local authority. Though slurry – an organic manure made of livestock animal refuse – is essential to farm productivity, it contributes significantly to ammonia, nitrous oxide and methane emissions. Irresponsible spreading of slurry has also led to considerable water pollution and biodiversity loss. These inspections are focused in areas where water bodies are significantly impacted by agriculture. A target of 3,346 farm inspections was set by the EPA for 2024, divided across 28 local authorities. However, just 2,810 inspections were completed last year, leaving councils almost 20% short of the target. A number of councils also inspected more farms than they were required to, making up for some of the shortfalls elsewhere. Advertisement Cork County Council completed 120 additional inspections beyond their EPA target. Elsewhere, Carlow and Monaghan County Councils both carried out an additional 32 farm inspections. Despite this overperformance from a few local authorities, Sinéad O'Brien, CEO of the Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) – an umbrella network of 25 environmental NGOs – told The Journal Investigates the fact that more than half missed their targets was 'extremely worrying'. Sinéad O'Brien, CEO of the Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) SWAN SWAN Investigations like this don't happen without your support… Impactful investigative reporting is powered by people like you. Support The Journal Investigates She added that these inspections served as a pillar of the Nitrates Action Programme, a government initiative to prevent water pollution from agricultural sources. 'It's concerning', she said, that many 'local authorities aren't carrying out their duties' in relation to carrying out the necessary farm inspections. The target for 2025 has increased to 4,500 inspections, meaning those local authorities who failed to hit targets this year will have to significantly ramp up their productivity if they are to meet these targets. In 2023, Ireland's ammonia emissions decreased by 4% in 2023 due to increased use of low-emission slurry spreading on farms and a reduction in nitrogen fertiliser use. This brings Ireland into compliance with the EU target for ammonia, the EPA said. However, ecologist Pádraic Fogarty told our team last year that while low-emission slurry spreading is better for ammonia emissions, 'it's worse for water quality', he said. In the report on environmental enforcement performance of local authorities in 2023, the EPA also found that farm inspections were still far below the level required. Poor local authority performance Of the 15 councils that failed to hit their targets last year, many didn't even come close. Leitrim County Council was one such local authority. It completed just 11% of its allocated target of 46, inspecting just five farms. Just one of these farms passed on the first visit. The other four were sent warning letters and passed on the second inspection, the council said. A spokesperson for Leitrim County Council said it 'did not meet its agricultural inspection targets in 2024 due to staff movements resulting in a shortage of staff resources within the Water Environment Team'. They added that recent appointments 'mean that sufficient resources are now in place to meet our 2025 target'. The council has been allocated a target of 79 farm inspections this year. Limerick City and County Council also did not come close, completing just 27% of its target – 44 of 161 – for new farm inspections last year. In previous years, the council has completed a huge number of farm inspections. In 2023, they completed 404 inspections, and in 2022, they completed 650. A spokesperson for the council told The Journal Investigates the reason for the drop in the number of inspections was because they were 'concentrating on closing out open files and ensuring that these farmers are compliant with the GAP Regulations'. In addition to 44 new inspections last year, '159 existing open file farm inspections were undertaken', the spokesperson said. They added that additional scientists were being hired to concentrate on achieving the new inspection targets moving forward. Related Reads Tenfold increase in farm inspections needed by some councils to meet EPA targets this year Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown (DLR) County Council completed just two farm inspections during 2024. The council had been allocated a target of 27 inspections, meaning it completed just 7% – the lowest proportion of any council. In both inspections, there was no slurry stored at the site meaning the council did not inspect any farms that store slurry in 2024. A spokesperson for the council told The Journal Investigates that DLR County Council does not have the resources to complete these inspections. They said that a shared resource between DLR, South Dublin County Council and Dublin City Council will be employed to meet the required inspections across all councils, but that this resource is not yet in place. South Dublin County Council completed more than their required inspections in 2024, while the EPA did not require Dublin City Council to undertake any farm inspections. The spokesperson for DLR County Council also said that the EPA has reduced their inspection target for 2025 from 44 to 12 farms. They added: 'We intend to carry out these inspections during 2025, using our own resources until the shared resource is available.' O'Brien said that the risk in urban areas like DLR is not as significant, but said 'I'd be a lot more concerned about Leitrim and Limerick'. 'They have quite intensive agriculture in Limerick, and it's very important that they keep on top of their inspections,' she added. High levels of non-compliance For the counties in the southeast of the country, not only were inspection targets not met, but a significant level of non-compliance was found at the farms that were inspected. In Waterford, the local authority completed just 60% of its target inspections set by the EPA. The council said that in three quarters of the inspections they did carry out, some level of non-compliance with the regulations was found. A spokesperson for Waterford City and County Council said that just one inspector was employed at the council for these inspections for most of 2024. A second inspector was hired in September. O'Brien told The Journal Investigates the number of inspections in Waterford was 'particularly concerning', adding that the county has 'some of the highest levels of intensification of dairy in Ireland'. This makes it a high-risk area for water pollution, she said. This trend was repeated across Wicklow and Wexford County Councils, which completed just 48% and 83% of their inspection target in 2024, respectively. Breaches of the regulations were found in 65% of the farms inspected by Wicklow County Council. In Wexford, 41% of the farms inspected were found to have breaches in the regulations. Both councils said that all farms deemed non-compliant received a compliance letter, while a small number were reported to the Department of Agriculture for further review. When asked why they had failed to reach the targets set for 2024, spokespeople for Wicklow and Wexford councils cited staffing constraints as the main reason. A farmer spreading slurry in a field. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Sign up The Journal Investigates is dedicated to lifting the lid on how Ireland works. Our newsletter gives you an inside look at how we do this. Sign up here... Sign up .spinner{transform-origin:center;animation:spinner .75s infinite linear}@keyframes spinner{100%{transform:rotate(360deg)}} You are now signed up Staff recruitment an issue A lack of staff was cited by numerous local authorities as the reason why they did not reach the inspection targets set by the EPA. A number of councils reported not having any dedicated staff for these inspections, significantly hampering their ability to meet the required targets. The Department of Housing has provided funding to local councils for an additional 57 inspectors to undertake these inspections. A spokesperson said last year: 'It is the responsibility of each Local Authority to ensure the resources are in place to ensure that the EPA targets are being met.' Figures provided by the County and City Management Association (CCMA) shows that as of May 2025, 50 inspectors have been hired by local authorities for these farm inspections – seven short the Department has provided funding for. A spokesperson for the CCMA told The Journal Investigates that 'recruitment is a matter for each local authority'. However, even though this funding has been provided, some local authorities are struggling to fill positions. A spokesperson for Sligo County Council told The Journal Investigates that even though interviews were held in 2024 to 'appoint an Assistant Scientist, the Council was unable to fill the post'. Fingal County Council also said that they 'were unable to find a suitably qualified person' to fill the role in 2024, while Kerry County Council added that 'recruitment of staff to carry out these inspections has proved challenging'. It's understood that sufficient staff are now in place in each of those local authorities, but with the number of inspections increasing for 2025, further recruitment issues may arise. In Mayo, a panel has been established to fill vacant Agricultural Inspector positions, a spokesperson for the council said. They added that 'the recruitment and retention of Agricultural Inspector staff is the main challenge being encountered in meeting the inspection targets.' A spokesperson for the Department of Housing acknowledged that some local authorities 'have encountered difficulty with recruitment and retention'. Asked whether there would be any sanctions against local authorities who failed to meet their targets, a spokesperson for the EPA did not specifically respond. However, they did say that local authority performance of their environmental responsibilities, including these agricultural inspections, is monitored by the agency through 'ongoing compliance meetings and audits'. Sinéad O'Brien, CEO of SWAN, said that sanctions against local authorities in the first year of the inspection programme 'wouldn't be my first priority', adding that a lot of pressure had been placed on councils, particularly around staffing resources. However, she said that gradual improvements 'isn't good enough' and called on the EPA to enforce a 'zero tolerance policy' from 2025. 'This has gone on for long enough. Agriculture is the main source of water pollution in Ireland, and they need to show willingness and start doing something to fix it,' she added. 'The very least they can do is have an effective inspection enforcement program.' The Journal Investigates Reporter: Conor O'Carroll • Editor: Maria Delaney • Social Media: Cliodhna Travers • Main Image Design: Lorcan O'Reilly Investigations like this don't happen without your support... Impactful investigative reporting is powered by people like you. Over 5,000 readers have already supported our mission with a monthly or one-off payment. Join them here: Support The Journal
The Journal
22-05-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
TDs call to end 'State-sanctioned cruelty' to badgers
CALLS TO END Ireland's controversial badger culling programme intensified in the Dáil yesterday after TDs raised serious concerns about the government-licensed practice. It followed revelations by The Journal Investigates that over 80% of badgers destroyed as part of the Department of Agriculture's TB eradication strategy were free of the disease. In a debate marking National Biodiversity Week, Jennifer Whitmore of the Social Democrats and People Before Profit's Paul Murphy both questioned the scientific basis of the killing programme and its impact on biodiversity commitments. The Journal / YouTube Speaking to Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity Christopher O'Sullivan, Whitmore highlighted contradictions at the heart of current policy. 'This matter is in the news at the moment. It is another instance where a species that is protected under the Wildlife Act is also being hunted or killed under that Act,' she said. 'The evidence is clear that the culling of badgers is not impacting on or reducing the incidence of bovine TB on farms.' The TD added that while bovine TB outbreaks are having a 'devastating' effect on Irish farmers, 'we need to work with them to make sure that the solutions that are put forward are actually working' 'They are not working at the moment,' she added. Advertisement Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has called for an end to badger culling (File photo). Alan Rowlette / Alan Rowlette / / Badger kills 'horrific' Referencing The Journal Investigate's investigation, Murphy criticised the 'the ongoing slaughter of badgers by the Department of Agriculture.' 'The Department has killed more than 66,000 badgers in the past ten years. The way the badgers are killed is horrific. 'They are trapped in snares leading to internal organ damage, ruptured bladders and even disembowelment. This includes pregnant and lactating badgers, leaving their cubs to starve to death.' The TD also referred to figures obtained by The Journal Investigates , which showed how more than 4,300 foxes were mistakenly snared in controversial Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM) badger traps. He added: 'According to opinion polls, in excess of two thirds of people in Ireland want it banned as well. 'England has promised to phase out killing badgers and replace it with a vaccination programme following scientific research that found that all the slaughter had no significant impact on bovine tuberculosis incidents in cattle.' The Journal has contacted DAFM for comment on the TDs' remarks. Referring to DAFM research indicating that vaccination is 'no less effective than culling', Murphy said the real cause of the country's bovine TB epidemic 'is not badgers,' but the expansion of industrial farming and larger dairy herds. People Before Profit TD referred to the DAFM badger culling programme 'State-sponsored cruelty' (File photo). Sasko Lazarov / Sasko Lazarov / / 'State-sanctioned cruelty' The People Before Profit politician also questioned the rationale behind the current culling policy. He said: 'The Department of Agriculture admits that killing badgers is not sustainable in the long term due to its ultimate impact on badger ecology. Related Reads Over 80% of badgers culled in government TB programme found to be free from the disease 'It's the next worst thing to losing a family member': The toll of Ireland's bovine TB crisis 'It knows it does not work to control bovine tuberculosis. Why on earth did it then slaughter more than 7,000 badgers last year, which was the highest number in a decade? Concluding his statement, Murphy asked the Minister of State to if he would commit to ending the 'irrational, State-sanctioned cruelty and biodiversity destruction'. On Wednesday, The Journal Investigates revealed that of the 10,301 badgers culled and tested in the last five years, 8,211 were found to be clear of mycobacterium bovis – the bacteria that causes bovine tuberculosis. Figures obtained under Access to Information on the Environment also revealed how a total of 7,319 badgers were culled by DAFM in 2024 alone – the highest number recorded in the last 10 years. In total, over 66,000 badgers have been destroyed since 2014, despite a 2018 government pledge to phase out the killings in favour of vaccination. The investigation comes as Irish farmers continue to battle soaring TB rates on farms, with many experiencing a huge financial and emotional toll as a result. — Patricia Devlin is an investigative reporter with The Journal Investigates . Our investigative unit is dedicated to lifting the lid on how Ireland works. This takes time and it takes resources. Find out how you can help: Support The Journal Investigates Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Journal
22-05-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Journal Media shortlisted for 17 Justice Media Awards
JOURNAL MEDIA HAS been shortlisted for 17 Justice Media Awards across a number of its publications and podcasts. In total, 16 journalists were shortlisted for awards across eight different categories. A total of ten nominations are for The Journal and seven are for The Journal Investigates . The Justice Media Awards are held annually by the Law Society of Ireland. This year, the awards received a record-breaking 495 entries across 16 award categories. In total, 140 entries were shortlisted across 16 award categories. Organisers said the awards recognise 'outstanding print, broadcast and online journalism that contributes to the public's understanding' of justice, the legal system and access to justice issues. Assistant news editor Valerie Flynn was shortlisted for two awards, including in the Print/Online Journalism (daily) category for her work on why the Conor McGregor case was heard in a civil court, and for her work with News Editor Daragh Brophy on what's driving the surge in road deaths . Reporter Muiris Ó Cearbhaill was nominated in the Print/Online Journalism (daily) category for his articles going behind the headlines and decisions from the courts – ranging from the reasons why a man with no previous convictions was jailed for six years , to the minuscule number of sex offenders taking part in rehabilitation programmes . Shane Raymond , a member of the FactCheck unit, was nominated in the International Justice Reporting category for his piece on why exactly far-right activist Tommy Robinson was jailed , amid claims by tech billionaire Elon Musk. The Explainer Podcast team of Nicky Ryan, Laura Byrne & Sinead O'Carroll were nominated twice, for their episode examining how does sentencing work in Ireland ih the Broadcast Journalism (podcast) category. The Explainer was also nominated in the Court Reporting (broadcast) category for its edition featuring The Journal reporter and fellow nominee Eoghan Dalton looking at the State inquiry into the Bill Kenneally case . Advertisement The Journal Investigates team received seven nominations in total. Reporter Patricia Devlin was nominated for three awards, including in the Environmental Law/Climate Justice Reporting category for her work on the underground wildlife trade. She was also nominated alongside The Journal Investigates Editor Maria Delaney for coverage on a gap in data on gendered violence and on migrant children arriving alone into Ireland . Also for The Journal Investigates , Conor O'Carroll & Pablo Jiménez Arandia were nominated in the Environmental Law/Climate Justice Reporting category for their coverage on how Ireland's data centres were turning to fossil fuels . Conor O'Carroll was also nominated for Newcomer of the Year, one of two nominations for Journal Media in the category – The Journal reporter Mairead Maguire also picked up a nod. Cormac Fitzgerald was nominated in the Human Rights/Social Justice Reporting (print/online) for his coverage on declassified papers into the 1979 Glen of Imaal blast that killed three boys . Reporter Peter McGuire was nominated in the same category for his article on children being subjected to controversial 'immersion therapy ' by court-appointed experts after they were removed from the family home. Freelance reporter Hannah McCarthy was nominated in the International Justice Reporting category for her coverage on human rights breaches during war in the Middle East. Editor of The Journal Investigates Maria Delaney said it was an honour for the team to be recognised for this year's awards. 'Holding power to account is a cornerstone of our mission at The Journal Investigates and the justice system is central to this,' Delaney said. 'It is an honour that our coverage of human rights and environment injustices has been recognised as our team has always strived to spotlight issues and unheard voices that don't get the attention they deserve. It is thanks to our supporters who fund our investigations through our readers' fund that allow us to undertake this important work.' Winners are announced at an awards ceremony on 25 June. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Journal
21-05-2025
- Health
- The Journal
Over 80% of badgers culled in government TB programme found to be free from the disease
OVER 80% OF badgers culled by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM) tested negative for TB, The Journal Investigates can reveal. Figures obtained via DAFM post-mortem reports show that of the 10,301 culled badgers submitted for testing in the last five years, 8,211 were found to be clear of mycobacterium bovis – the bacteria that causes bovine tuberculosis (bTB). The healthy badgers were destroyed between 2020 and April 2025 as part of the State's bTB Eradication Programme , currently under immense strain from high cattle rates of the disease across the country. As reported by The Journal Investigates , the TB crisis is having a devastating toll on farming communities across the country. Every year, thousands of badgers are killed or vaccinated after being snared in controversial DAFM traps in a bid to control the livestock spread of the highly infectious disease. Last year alone, a total of 7,319 badgers were culled by DAFM – the highest number recorded in the last 10 years. In total, over 66,000 badgers have been destroyed since 2014 in the controversial culling programme, despite a 2018 government pledge to phase out the killings in favour of vaccination. However, we can reveal that there has been a drop in the number of badgers being vaccinated, and a rise in the number being culled – even in designated DAFM vaccine areas. The Journal / YouTube An investigation by The Journal Investigates can reveal that last year, 23% (1,690) of the badgers culled were destroyed in vaccine areas. These are locations where DAFM's primary method for managing bTB is supposed to be through vaccination, rather than culling. The figure is almost double that of 2023, when 12.5% (777) of the 6,238 badgers killed were destroyed in designated vaccine areas. In comparison, over 3,800 badgers were vaccinated in 2024, a drop from over 5,100 the year previous. Wildlife experts say DAFM now has 'serious questions' to answer over its badger culling programme. Pearse Stokes, rescue coordinator with Kildare Wildlife Rescue, said: 'It's very evident to anybody who looks at these numbers, that it doesn't work. 'So why has it been allowed to continue? It's totally ineffective, killing most of our badgers that are completely innocent and uninfected.' DAFM said its programme 'necessarily incorporates a wildlife strategy' which includes the removal of badgers in response to research 'conducted over many years' by the department. 'Such a requirement arises as tuberculosis is present both in cattle and in badgers and both species share the same environment, and the same strains of TB,' a spokesperson said. Investigations like this don't happen without your support… Impactful investigative reporting is powered by people like you. Support The Journal Investigates Dogs and foxes snared in department traps In Ireland, badgers are legally culled under the same legislation which protects them from persecution. Under the Wildlife Act 1976 , it is a criminal offence to intentionally kill or injure a badger, or to interfere with or destroy its sett. In 2003, the Act was amended to allow DAFM to use 'stopped body restraints' to trap the protected species for either culling or vaccination purposes. According to DAFM funded studies , lowering badger densities 'resulted in reduced incidences of bTB' in livestock. However, research surrounding the link between badger spread of the disease remains contested, with other countries rejecting culls in favour of robust biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of TB. Neither Wales nor Scotland cull the protected species, instead managing spread of the disease via badger vaccination, cattle-based measures, including enhanced testing and movement restrictions, as well as wildlife surveillance. Since 2009, Scotland has maintained EU recognised TB-free status, with official government veterinary advice stating that 'wildlife does not currently represent a risk' in terms of spreading the disease to cattle. Across the border, badgers in Northern Ireland are also protected from culling, though an attempt by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) was made to bring in the practice in recent years. In October 2023, the High Court quashed the national cull bid, ruling that DAERA's consultation process was flawed and therefore unlawful. The legal challenge was brought by Wild Justice and the NI Badger Group. Like Ireland, the province has seen a concerning hike in bovine TB with a 22.5% increase in TB reactors – cattle which test TB positive – in the first half of 2024, according to the Ulster Farmers Union. Advertisement Here, DAFM use controversial traps to both vaccinate and cull badgers as part of its TB eradication strategy. These consist of a multi-strand steel wire which incorporates a single swivel, a metal runner, a shackle and ferrule – a type of metal ring – which tightens around an animal to prevent it from escaping. The Journal / YouTube The devices, branded with DAFM information, are placed at setts by department contractors under licences issued by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). Captured badgers are either shot and destroyed on site, or removed for vaccination. Although designed specifically for badgers, The Journal Investigates has learned that the traps have mistakenly snared thousands of other animals, mostly wildlife. Records obtained under AIE show that between 2014 and 2024, a lamb, two dogs and 4,399 foxes have been trapped in the DAFM devices. Asked if the animals were injured or found dead in the restraints, DAFM confirmed that the trapped foxes were either 'released or euthanised'. 'The euthanised foxes are used as part of our requirement to screen foxes for echinnocicoccus multilocularis, a parasite found in the Northern Hemisphere,' the department said. 'Approx [sic] 400 foxes per year are required for the screening.' The department could not confirm the numbers of foxes either destroyed or released, but did confirm the two dogs survived, while the lamb did not. We also asked how many badgers had been found injured or deceased in these traps. The department confirmed that in the last 10 years, 62 were found dead in the devices, with the numbers climbing year-on-year since 2018. However, wildlife experts have told The Journal Investigates that this number may be higher, as many trapped badgers are discovered by members of the public and wildlife rescuers before DAFM. A vet at Kildare Wildlife Rescue treats an injured badger following rescue. Pearse Stokes Pearse Stokes Panicked calls from public over traps Pearse Stokes, a wildlife first responder, said he regularly rescues seriously injured badgers and other animals from DAFM issued traps. 'We take every animal that comes from the snare into care, because we need to run X-rays and ultrasounds,' said Stokes. The team can find 'that their organs inside are horrifically damaged', he said. 'So even if the skin is not broken, we'll see ruptured bladders and all kinds of things, so they have to come into care, even if they look okay on the outside. 'However, we do respond to cases where the animals do not look okay on the outside, and they have been essentially gutted, sliced open by these snares.' Stokes says some of the badgers rescued from the 'barbaric' government traps have included lactating or pregnant females, raising fears for their young cubs. He describes 'panicked' calls from members of the public who stumble across the trapped animals. 'Sometimes they don't understand what they're seeing,' he told The Journal Investigates . We'll arrive on scene and say, yeah, this is a snare. And they'll kind of be thinking, what are you talking about? What do you mean, a snare? 'They'll be quite scared about what criminal entity potentially put that on their property when, in fact, it is the organisation charged with protecting and conserving our nature issuing licences for people to snare protected animals.' The Journal Investigates asked DAFM about Stokes' concerns. A spokesperson said that the species is protected by both the Berne Convention and national legislation. As such, local populations 'cannot be exterminated' and badger habitats 'cannot be destroyed'. They added: 'Badgers are captured under licence, issued by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. 'They are captured using a specifically designed stopped-body restraint approved under Section 34 of the 1976 Wildlife Act and a condition of the licence is that restraints are checked before noon the next day. All restraints are monitored daily.' Other issues encountered by wildlife rescuers is the uncertainty of whether the animals snared have been done so legally. He said: 'We go out and collect a snare, and before we're wondering, is this an official snare, or is it not? Is it accidentally set incorrectly? Is it intentionally set incorrectly? 'So we're then stuck in a situation where, from an animal welfare perspective, it's cut and dry. This animal needs to be helped. 'But from a legal perspective, are we looking at a wildlife crime? Are we looking at a bad or incompetent job, or are we looking at something completely legal?' Farming practices escalating TB spread Stokes recalled one recent, distressing fox rescue in Dublin. The animal had been illegally snared by a third party using a trap, designed similar to those used by DAFM. 'It took 11 days to locate this fox because it had broken the snare and escaped, with the snare around its waist,' he said. 'It had been completely disembowelled, and it had worn the flesh on its leg down to the bone in order to escape.' Sign up The Journal Investigates is dedicated to lifting the lid on how Ireland works. Our newsletter gives you an inside look at how we do this. Sign up here... Sign up .spinner{transform-origin:center;animation:spinner .75s infinite linear}@keyframes spinner{100%{transform:rotate(360deg)}} You are now signed up Incredibly, the animal survived. However, the incident is one of many encountered by wildlife rescuers who say criminals use the guise of legal practices to commit illegality. 'I think the easy answer is to ban these things, just like in Scotland and Wales and soon in England, that's the easy answer,' Stokes said. 'So there is no smoke screen there for illegal activity.' Ireland is one of only two European countries that currently operates a large-scale, government licensed badger cull. The other, England, last year vowed to phase out the practice in favour of vaccination. This was due to scientific research which examined the effectiveness of badger culling as a method to control bTB. This included a 2022 study commissioned by the British government which found no significant impact of badger culling on TB incidence among cattle herds. The Irish government first said it was moving towards vaccine control of bTB in 2018, however culling has continued under special licence since. The latest figures show TB herd incidence in the south of Ireland as 6%, a significant increase from the record low of 3.37% in 2015. As revealed by The Journal Investigates yesterday, Irish farmers are now bearing an almost daily financial and emotional toll of the current bTB crisis. According to figures released by the Agriculture Minister in March, over 41,600 cattle were destroyed following positive bTB tests on Irish farms in 2024. Dr Paddy Sleeman, a researcher in the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences at University College Cork, said research has pointed towards farming practices escalating bovine TB, rather than badgers alone. According to figures from the Central Statistic Office, dairy cow numbers increased by over 350,000 from 2014 to 2024 As reported by The Journal Investigates earlier, dairy cattle are prone to higher TB infection rates to larger herd sizes and the closer air-space proximity of the animals when milking. 'Obviously, removing badgers will lower the rate of transmission, but most transmission, particularly in dairy herds, is from cattle to cattle, not badger to cattle,' he said. 'When I was a kid, herd sizes were around 20 to 40. Today, they are around 300 to 400. 'So, any infectious disease is going to rise if you get a rise in the number of catalysts, both per unit. It's basic epidemiology.' Wildlife first responder Pearse Stokes rescuing a badger tangled in football nets. Pearse Stokes Pearse Stokes Three-quarters of public surveyed against snares Ruairí Ó Leocháin, a wildlife rescuer and primary school teacher, has repeatedly raised concerns about DAFM's use of snares and badger culling programme The Co Athlone man, part of wildlife activist group Stand With Badgers, runs his own wildlife rehabilitation facility and apiary in Westmeath. 'If you look at the Red C poll carried out by Stand With Badgers in 2022, over two thirds of the Irish population want a total ban on snares,' he told The Journal Investigates . It also showed that, which I found surprising, that as you go into the older age demographic, and into the farmers that are over 70, over 80% are anti-snare. 'These are the people who would have most experience of snares.' According to the Red C data, younger men 'are the toughest group to convince on the merits for an outright ban of snares in Ireland' compared to older generations. 'Empathy on this particular proposition seems to increase with age, and suggests the need to look to older people for support and the need to target younger people with further information to convert them,' it said. Earlier, The Journal Investigates revealed how one Kilkenny farmer suffered a TB outbreak on his farm despite being in a DAFM designated vaccine areas – where badgers are vaccinated, rather than culled. Jim Mulhall said he later discovered that no vaccines had been administered in the area for three years. Ó Leocháin said he feels 'sorry for farmers who are led up the garden path' and 'constantly told what to do' in managing the ongoing TB crisis. 'Whereas, what I'm seeing is, the farmers do not believe that the current bovine tuberculosis eradication policy is working. 'The numbers have gone through the roof over the last years, and there's no difference.' In a lengthy statement in response to The Journal Investigates , a DAFM spokesperson said that despite the 'crucial' vaccinating of badgers, it is 'still necessary to remove badgers' particularly around farms experiencing a severe TB outbreak. However, DAFM added that culling is 'not sustainable in the long term' due to its 'ultimate impact on badger ecology' and Ireland's commitments under the Bern convention. This protects Europe's wild species and habitats. 'Consequently, badger vaccination is also an integral part of the Irish TB Eradication Programme. 'This follows over 15 years of research work using BCG vaccine to prevent tuberculosis infection in badgers and scientific trials carried out between 2013 and 2017 show that vaccination is no less effective than culling.' The Journal Investigates Reporter: Patricia Devlin • Editor: Maria Delaney • Video Editor: Nicky Ryan • Social Media: Cliodhna Travers • Main Image Design: Lorcan O'Reilly Investigations like this don't happen without your support... Impactful investigative reporting is powered by people like you. Over 5,000 readers have already supported our mission with a monthly or one-off payment. Join them here: Support The Journal
