Ballyshannon man Declan Gillen has been appointed as the deer management unit (DMU) co-ordinator for Donegal.
Gillen will be in charge of co-ordinating the deer management strategy in the county, liaising with local hunters, farmers/landowners, and other stakeholders in relation to deer sightings and hunting.
He has previously served in the Irish Defence Forces and the Australian Defence Forces as a senior non-commissioned officer for 28 years. He has also worked internationally as a private sector security consultant.
The deer management strategy was developed in 2023 and included a range of recommendations for the ongoing management of Ireland’s wild deer population to ensure it is maintained at a sustainable level.
There are 15 DMU areas set up across the country. Hunters and landowners can contact FRS for information on this collaboration.
The strategy was overseen and developed by a steering group that included representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), Coillte, farmer representatives and other key stakeholders.
Speaking on the appointment, Declan Gillen said:
“With a strong commitment to effective and sustainable wildlife management, my primary goal in this position is to act as a central point of contact and facilitator for all deer management activities within the area of N2 (Donegal),” he said.
“The success of this initiative relies heavily on close collaboration with local landowners, experienced hunters, and key community stakeholders. I look forward to working with you to achieve a balanced and effective approach to deer management in Donegal.”
Michael Keegan, manager of FRS Co-Op’s deer management programme, said:
“We in the FRS deer management team are delighted to have Declan joining our ranks as a co-ordinator for Donegal. He brings a lot of real-world experience and knowledge about hunting to this leadership role, and he has proven to be a great communicator. If any local hunters or landowners that are concerned about deer populations in their area, our information can be found on the FRS Co-Op Deer Management Programme website.”
