Breda Moynihan (70) feeds bread to the birds in the field near her home in Limerick. Photo: Press 22

A Limerick pensioner was fined €150 for feeding birds in a field near her home.

Breda Moynihan (70), who lives in the Lee Estate in the city, said she takes great joy in feeding the seagulls which regularly congregate on a green near her house.

However, she has been left "devastated" and "disgusted" after a Limerick council worker handed her a €150 fine when he witnessed her throwing bread to her feathered friends.

The animal lover, who also gives carrots to horses in the estate and biscuits to cats, said she cannot afford the fine, which was made under the Litter Pollution Act 1997.

She was given a form filled in by a council official which accused her of "food thrown on a green area".

However the grandmother, who lives alone, is standing her ground and insists that she won't pay the fine.

Expand Close Breda Moynihan is angry after being fined €150 by the council for feeding seagulls. Photo: Press 22 / Facebook

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Whatsapp Breda Moynihan is angry after being fined €150 by the council for feeding seagulls. Photo: Press 22

"I feed the birds every day," she said.

"I love animals, and just feel like I'm doing good. But this council man approached me recently saying I'm causing rats.

"But rats have been around here all the time. The birds eat up the bread immediately after I throw it so I can't be the one to blame. I just feel devastated and disgusted at how they could fine someone for simply feeding a few animals."

Ms Moynihan added that while she was a shy person by nature, she refused to stay silent on what she deemed to be a "huge injustice".

"I just can't afford to pay the €150. It's a huge amount of money for me and I'm so worried about the thought of having to pay it.

"I just hope the council will pardon me because I haven't done anything wrong. I'm going to fight this and stand my ground," she said.

The pensioner, whose story was first reported in the 'Limerick Leader', is being supported by former councillor John Gilligan.

He said the fine was "scandalous", especially given illegal dumping taking place across the estate. He added that instead of fining her, the council should give her a mayoral reception.

"They're for the birds," he said. "Down through the years, we've been highlighting acts of unspeakable cruelty towards animals in Limerick.

"Here's a woman who's the total opposite of that. She's our own Mary Poppins. And they come down and charge her €150. That's her entire pension gone. You know these rules weren't meant for people like her. She should be applauded, not persecuted. For God's sake, do the right thing for Limerick and our estate, leave this lady alone."

Labour councillor Conor Sheehan, who represents the area at City Hall, said: "I live in an area where people frequently dump bags of rubbish. I haven't seen any of them landed with a fine. It's totally cruel."

Limerick City Council did not reply to a request for comment.

Irish Independent