The Wildlife Crime Conference 2024 is designed to strengthen cross-sector collaboration and improve responses to wildlife crime across Ireland.
Wildlife Crime Conference: Strength in Unity
This Conference aims to enhance cross-sectoral collaboration for wildlife and environmental protection. It hopes to bridge the gaps between government bodies, conservation groups, legal experts, and community stakeholders. It focuses on unravelling the complexities of existing legislation protecting wildlife and the environment, and highlighting the necessity of cohesive efforts to tackle wildlife crimes and conserve biodiversity.
Through a series of engaging talks, interactive discussions, mock crime scenes, case studies, and networking sessions, participants will explore innovative strategies for policy integration, share best practices for enforcement and compliance, and foster partnerships that leverage the strengths of diverse sectors. This conference represents a unique opportunity to catalyse action, inspire change, and advance collective efforts towards sustainable environmental stewardship and wildlife conservation.
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 09:00 | Registration & Coffee |
| 09:30 |
Opening Remarks Malcolm Noonan, Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage), T.D. for Carlow–Kilkenny [pre-recorded] |
| 09:40 |
Chairperson introductions and welcome Judy Peters (Solicitor and Training Consultant, La Touche Training) |
| 09:50 |
Joint Efforts of NWCU, PAW UK, and Key Stakeholders in Combating Wildlife Crime Chief Inspector Kevin Kelly (Head of the National Wildlife Crime Unit – UK Policing) |
| 10:05 |
Guardians of Nature – Strengthening Partnerships for Wildlife Protection Dr Áine Lynch, Regional Manager (NPWS) |
| 10:20 |
An Garda Síochána’s Role Relative to Wildlife Crime Superintendent Emma Doyle (AGS Crime Legal) & Detective Sergeant James King (Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation) |
| 10:35 |
Interconnected Enforcement: Inland Fisheries Ireland’s Role in Wildlife and Environmental Protection Seán Long (River Basin District Director, Inland Fisheries Ireland) |
| 10:50 |
Expert Panel: Your Questions Answered Panel – Kevin Kelly, Emma Doyle, James King, Seán Long |
| 11:00 | Coffee |
| 11:20 |
EPA’s Role of Inspection Surveillance in Environmental Protection David Smith (Legal Department, Office of Environmental Enforcement, EPA) |
| 11:35 |
Navigating Complexities in Animal Welfare and Wildlife Crime Cases Fiona Conlon & Alice Lacey (ISPCA Senior Inspectors) |
| 11:50 |
An Overview of PAW Ireland and Deer Crime Prevention Damian Hannigan (PAW Ireland & Irish Deer Commission) |
| 12:05 |
Unveiling the Underworld: Intercepting Wildlife Trafficking to Safeguard Biodiversity Rónán O’Hanlon (Revenue Commissioners, Customs Division – Prohibitions & Restrictions Unit) |
| 12:20 |
Expert Panel: Your Questions Answered Panel – David Smith, Fiona Conlon, Alice Lacey, Damian Hannigan, Rónán O’Hanlon |
| 12:30 | Lunch |
| 13:30 |
Overview of Afternoon Sessions and La Touche Training Initiatives – Prosecution Case Studies Judy Peters |
| 13:45 |
Best Practice for Crime Scene Preservation Mícheál Casey (Head of the Regional Veterinary Laboratory Division, Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine) |
| 14:15 |
Prosecution Case Studies in Wildlife Crime: Insights from the National Wildlife Crime Unit Ian Guildford (Investigative Support Officer, National Wildlife Crime Unit) |
| 14:30 |
Practical: Recognise, Record, and Protect – Preserving the Integrity of a Badger Baiting Crime Scene Ian Guildford, Mícheál Casey, Judy Peters |
| 15:10 | Coffee |
| 15:30 |
Practical: Recognise, Record, and Protect – Preserving the Integrity of a Raptor Poisoning Crime Scene Ian Guildford, Mícheál Casey, Judy Peters |
| 16:10–17:00 |
Discussion: “Interagency Collaboration in Detecting and Prosecuting Wildlife Crimes” Panel – all speakers |
Wildlife Rehabilitation Ireland (WRI)
WRI hosts the Wildlife Crime Conference as part of its commitment to supporting those working to protect Ireland’s wildlife. Through training, awareness-building, and cross-sector collaboration, WRI aims to assist enforcement agencies, conservation bodies, and community partners in strengthening responses to wildlife crime and promoting wildlife welfare.
Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime (PAW Ireland)
PAW Ireland is a voluntary partnership that brings together statutory organisations, non-statutory bodies, and interested stakeholders with a shared goal of reducing wildlife crime. PAW Ireland does not carry out enforcement; rather, it supports enforcement agencies through awareness, collaboration, and improved communication.
PAW Ireland works to:
Raise awareness of wildlife legislation and the impacts of wildlife crime
Provide a forum for exchanging information and expertise on wildlife enforcement
Offer guidance on wildlife crime and regulatory issues
Increase recognition of wildlife crime within the judiciary and statutory agencies
Promote appropriate use of forensic technologies to support enforcement
Encourage coordinated, effective action against wildlife crime
La Touche Training
The conference is chaired by La Touche Training, Ireland’s leading provider of legal and regulatory training, ensuring professional facilitation and informed, balanced discussion throughout the event.
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