Gulls to be culled in Dublin

Three species of gull are set to be culled in a Dublin suburb as the birds have been declared a 'health and safety issue'.

Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien has authorised a cull of European Herring, Lesser Black-backed and Great Black-backed Gulls in Balbriggan.

Great Black-backed Gull is one of the species to be culled in a Dublin suburb (Martin Webb).

Under the directive, "any individual" can remove seagull nests or eggs that "represent a threat to public health and safety; are likely to cause serious damage to crops or to livestock or are likely to cause damage to flora and fauna."

The directive against the gulls is valid from 1 August this year to 30 April next year. However, the new policy appears to contravene EU directives which mean it is illegal to kill gulls or destroy their nests because they are protected species.

Minister O'Brien also enacted a directive whereby anybody in the country can apply for a license "to take appropriate steps to stop serious damage being caused by a protected wild bird or animal at any time of year. 

A Housing Department spokesman said: "To date in 2022 my Department has received only one application for such a licence to remove a gull nest from a private residence and six in relation to commercial properties to remove nests or to capture and/or kill."

Sinn Fein TD Louise O'Reilly previously said the gulls are a "health and safety" issue which is "making life miserable" for some Dubliners.