A tip-off was the key for Gardai in detaining men from Dublin and Carlow for hunting illegally with dogs in Kildare last month.
A call from a member of the public alerted Gardai to the fact that three men had been spotted poaching at Ballyshannon in Kilcullen at the end of October.
Speaking on social media, Gardai said: "The men detained were from Carlow and Dublin.
"This is the fourth gang of poachers with dogs intercepted by Kildare Gardaí in the last six weeks."
"The prevention of this type of ‘Rural Crime’ is at the core of our policing strategy in Kildare Garda District.
"[It] involves stakeholder engagement with the IFA (Irish Farmers’ Association), coursing clubs, ISPCA (Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), joint policing committee, etc.”
