21/02/2017

Armagh Man Fined For Destroying Protected Habitat

A man has been fined for the destruction of a protected habitat in the Slieve Gullion area in Co Armagh.

Derek Johnston from Forkhill was fined £3,400 for breaches of Environment Order legislation at Newry Magistrates Court.

On five occasions between 5 October 2012 and 15 July 2014, officers from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) investigated a site owned by Mr Johnston within Slieve Gullion Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) and Slieve Gullion Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

On each occasion unauthorised works were observed which resulted in substantial damage to protected habitat. Burning, spraying and mechanical removal of vegetation caused the destruction of 12.5 hectares of priority Dry Heath habitat on land owned by Mr Johnston.

(CD)

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