EUGENE MEENAGHAN AND JOE MURTAGH OF DONCASTER HARE COURSING GANG FACE JUSTICE IN LINCOLNSHIRE

In a significant crackdown on wildlife cruelty, four men from Doncaster, including Eugene Meenaghan, Joe Murtagh, Jay Poole, and Jake Reidy, have been convicted for their involvement in illegal hare coursing activities and the destruction of farmland. The group, known collectively as the Doncaster Hare Coursing Gang, traveled from their hometown to the rural hamlet of Apley, near Wragby in East Lindsey, Lincolnshire, during the early hours of October 1, 2023.

Their purpose was to engage in illegal hunting practices, which involved driving through a farmer’s field, causing damage to the land and destroying crops in the process. The incident not only disrupted agricultural activities but also inflicted unnecessary suffering on wildlife, as hare coursing is widely condemned for its cruelty and illegality.

Lincolnshire Police responded swiftly after the crime was reported. Officers from the Special Operations unit, patrolling the area, quickly identified the vehicle used by the suspects and intercepted the group near Burton Waters. During the search, law enforcement officials discovered a range of illegal equipment, including longdogs and lamps used for lamping—an illegal method of stunning wild animals before setting dogs loose to hunt them.

Further investigation revealed that the suspects possessed videos depicting animal fights, which were found on their mobile phones. All four men faced charges related to possessing equipment for hare coursing, breaching section nine of the Animal Welfare Act, and criminal damage. They subsequently pleaded guilty to these charges.

On Thursday, April 25, 2024, the Lincoln Magistrates’ Court sentenced the group, ordering them to pay a total of £19,791.72 in costs and compensation. Eugene Meenaghan was ordered to pay £5,262.93, while Joseph Murtagh, Jay Poole, and Jake Reidy each received a financial penalty of £4,842.93.

The magistrates condemned the crimes as ‘cruel and despicable,’ emphasizing the distress caused to both the community and wildlife. The court’s decision reflects a firm stance against such illegal activities, which threaten the safety and well-being of rural environments.

PC Karen Irving, a member of the rural crime action team, highlighted the ongoing efforts to combat wildlife crime in Lincolnshire. She stated, “We are determined to make Lincolnshire the safest place to live, work, and visit. This result shows we will use all avenues available to us to bring people to justice and protect our communities and wildlife.”

As part of their sentencing, the court imposed several restrictions and penalties on the offenders. These included a 10-year criminal behavior order preventing them from entering Lincolnshire with longdogs, 100 hours of community service, the forfeiture of their mobile phones and lamping equipment, and a 10-year disqualification from keeping dogs. Additionally, the suspects were ordered to pay costs and compensation, underscoring the seriousness with which the justice system views wildlife persecution and environmental damage.