Politics

State accused of double standards as alleged OPW offence is dropped

Housing Department censured over failing to prosecute OPW over disturbance to protected bat species at Emo Court House in Co Laois

Emo Court in Co Laois: the Department of Housing decided against prosecuting the OPW for a disturbance to a bat roosting site at the property. Picture: Getty

The Department of Housing has been accused of a “serious double standard” in refusing to prosecute the Office of Public Works (OPW) over an alleged wildlife offence, in spite of a strong recommendation from its own investigators.

Newly released documents have revealed a report by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), which investigates wildlife offences, urged a prosecution of the OPW over the damage to a bat roosting site in Emo Court House in ...