Hunting-related charge against Wicklow vet struck out on payment to charity

By Darragh McCann, The Wicklow People

A Greystones veterinary surgeon has paid €500 to charity after pleading guilty to a hunting-related offence.

Maurice Nicholson, of Charlesland Park, Greystones, appeared at Bray District Court on summons brought by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH).

Mr Nicholson originally faced three charges of having a dog and bird capable of hunting on lands at Glassenamucky Brakes, Co Dublin, without the permission of the landowner on November 8, 2023, of hunting protected wild birds without a licence or ministerial permission, and of hunting wild birds without the landowner’s consent.

The court heard that counsel for the DHLGH and Mr Nicholson’s legal team reached an agreement whereby the defendant would plead guilty to having a dog and bird capable of hunting on lands at Glassenamucky Brakes without the landowner’s permission, and the two other charges were struck out.

The court was told that Mr Nicholson was seen at Glassenamucky Brakes, part of the Wicklow Mountains National Park, with a red setter and a peregrine falcon on his arm. A peregrine falcon is a protected bird of prey, commonly used in hunting due to its speed and precision. Mr Nicholson denied hunting.

Maurice Nicholson MVB, is a veterinary surgeon at BrayVet, an animal clinic based in Bray.

The defendant has worked there on and off for over 20 years and has been a practising vet for more than 40 years. Counsel for the defence described their client as an “upstanding gentleman”.

The judge struck out the remaining charge against Mr Nicholson after he donated €500 to Kildare Wildlife and Rescue.