THERE have been calls this week for an effective deer culling programme to be put in place across parts of South Galway to help prevent serious road accidents occurring.

Farmers and road users in the Portumna, Kylebrack, Woodford and Abbey areas are reporting growing problems with wild deer, as their numbers continue to increase.

Galway IFA Chair, Stephen Canavan, said that farmers in parts of South Galway could find 40 or 50 deer on their land when they went to check their stock in the morning.

“There are a number of issues of concern here. Firstly, there are serious worries over road safety; secondly, deer can cause a lot of damage to meadows and fences; while thirdly, there are concerns over the link between wildlife and the spread of bovine TB,” said Stephen Canavan.

He said that over recent months, he had heard of several minor accidents on roads in South Galway involving deer, and the fear was, that more serious road incidents could occur.

“There are extensive woodlands in this area – we want the state agencies including the National Parks and Wildlife Service to put in place a planned culling programme,” said Stephen Canavan.

Local Killimor councillor, Jimmy McClearn, told the Farming Tribune that a controlled culling of deer in parts of South Galway was now badly needed.

Pictured: Cllr. Jimmy McClearn: Deer pose a threat to road users.