A bird lover who feeds pigeons said he has been warned that he will be fined €100 if he continues to feed them seeds in Cork city centre.
Frank Flaherty began feeding the birds at Daunt Square four years ago - but was recently ordered to stop due to the bird poop and feathers left behind afterwards.
Mr Flaherty said a litter warden told him that a local business made a complaint about him feeding the birds - and he faces being fined €100 if he continues to throw seeds for the pigeons.
He said: "One of the wardens came along when I was feeding them and said 'I know you enjoy doing this, but you have to stop because a complaint came in'. A complaint came in from one of the shops.
"The Cork City Council lads do a great job cleaning and the place is spotless. After feeding the birds, there's nothing there.
"If I feel like going down to feed them, I go shopping and get a bag of bird seed in the pet shop. I feed the birds and just sit there and enjoy doing it.
"They come from all over the place. I only stay about 10 or 15 minutes.
"I'm going to continue feeding them."
Mr Flaherty said he plans to continue to feed the birds and will refuse to pay a fine.
Speaking to the Neil Prendeville Show on Cork's RedFM, Frank said: "They said I'll get a fine of €100. It is very wrong.
"The pigeons were there before the people ever came along on this planet.
"It's great to see them flying around the city.
"What harm am I doing down there? No harm. There's something very wrong going on there."
Mr Flaherty, who used to race homing pigeons, said he'll even go to court to continue to feed the birds.
He said: "I wouldn't pay it at all. I'd go to court and tell the judge what I'm telling you.
"What's happening in society? I'm feeding birds. If there's a bit of poo, so what?
"I'd like to carry on. Nothing gets me down.
"The pigeons know me and come down straight away. I'm afraid of nothing."
Cork City Council has been contacted for comment.
