A County Clare Developer has been fined after being found guilty of destroying a breeding roost for a rare bat.
John D Flanagan of Ballyvara House, Doolin was ordered to pay over 3000 euro in costs and fines after the lesser horseshoe bat disappeared from the roost at the Ballykilty Manor hotel development, near Quin.
In a prosecution, brought by the Environment Minister, Mr Flanagan was accused of damaging or destroying a breeding site or a resting place for the bat on dates unknown between June and October 2009.
Mr Flanagan’s Atlantis Group had secured planning permission for a five-star hotel at Ballykilty Manor before those dates
The Lesser Horse Shoe is protected under the EU Habitats Directive and planning conditions attached to the development included strict conservation measures for the bat.
