Authorities monitor deer that has made home near busy Wicklow roundabout amid safety concerns

By Hugh O'Farrell Walsh, The Wicklow People

Concerns over the safety of motorists and animal welfare have been raised following repeated sightings of a wild deer near a busy roundabout close to the N11 in Bray.

The animal has been observed periodically in the vicinity of Circle K and Hills Garage, prompting multiple reports from members of the public and an inter-agency response involving An Garda Síochána, Wicklow County Council and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).

Cllr Joe Behan say the animal’s presence near a major traffic junction has sparked understandable concern, given the volume and speed of traffic using the N11 and surrounding roads. However, authorities stress that responding to such incidents involves balancing immediate public safety with strict wildlife protection and animal welfare obligations.

In correspondence with Cllr Behan, the NPWS confirmed it is aware of the situation and is monitoring developments closely.

“We have received many reports about her,” one response stated, adding that the service is “keeping an eye” on the deer. The NPWS advised that if the animal appears to be in immediate danger or becomes a hazard, the matter should be escalated directly to the relevant authorities.

Under current arrangements, responsibility for dealing with immediate road safety hazards caused by wild animals rests primarily with An Garda Síochána. According to NPWS officials, the Gardaí are the first point of contact where a deer is injured, lingering on a roadway or posing an ongoing threat to motorists. Gardaí can assess the risk on the ground and coordinate any urgent response, including traffic management or engagement with other agencies.

Depending on the circumstances, additional bodies may also become involved. Wicklow County Council may be required to take action where road safety measures are necessary, while Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) could have a role where incidents occur on national roads such as the N11. Coordination between agencies, the NPWS said, takes place where required in order to address public safety concerns while still meeting conservation responsibilities.

In a detailed reply to Cllr Joe Behan, the NPWS outlined the legal framework governing wild deer in Ireland. Deer are protected under the Wildlife Acts, and responsibility for their conservation and management lies with the NPWS. However, the service notes that it does not “own” the deer population, nor does it control where wild deer roam.

“Deer are wild animals and naturally range across large areas, unconstrained by landownership boundaries,” the letter stated. Deer population management is primarily carried out at local level through Deer Management Units, with NPWS liaising with landowners and licensed hunters.

Culling of deer can only take place during the open hunting season or under specific licences issued outside that period, under Section 42 of the Wildlife Acts. Such licences are tightly controlled and granted only where deer are causing serious damage or posing a significant risk. Decisions on issuing licences are operational matters for the NPWS and are not taken lightly.

At local authority level, Wicklow County Council has confirmed it is actively engaging with the issue. Brian Wildes, district administrator for the Bray Municipal District, confirmed at the district’s April monthly meeting that the council is aware of repeated sightings of the deer at the roadside near Hills Garage and officials have been exploring appropriate responses with public safety and animal welfare in mind.

Mr Wildes confirmed that the council has been in contact with both An Garda Síochána and the NPWS, and that a meeting between the agencies was arranged to discuss the matter further and consider potential solutions. Updates will be provided once decisions emerge from this process, according to the council.

In the meantime, the council has appealed to members of the public to refrain from leaving food at the roadside. Officials believe this practice may be attracting the deer to the area and encouraging it to linger close to traffic.

“One of the key issues identified is that members of the public are leaving carrots and other food at the roadside, which is attracting the deer to the area,” the letter said. The council warned that feeding wild animals near busy roads not only increases the risk of traffic collisions but can also cause the animal to become dependent on human feeding, creating additional challenges if relocation is considered.

Authorities stress that public cooperation is essential while the situation is being assessed. Members of the public are urged to report any immediate danger to An Garda Síochána and to avoid actions that could inadvertently increase risk.

Cllr Behan welcomed the move at the meeting, saying it was a positive step toward resolving safety concerns.

For now, the deer remains under observation, with officials emphasising that any response must be proportionate, lawful and sensitive to both human safety and wildlife protection.