Dear Councillor Sheahan,



The protection of rare breeding birds and other wildlife is of vital importance to the environment and the thousands of people who enjoy that environment on a daily basis.



The Hen Harrier is one of Ireland's rarest and most beautiful birds of prey and has suffered serious declines over the past century. As a consequence, the areas designated for it's protection are vital for it's continued presence and well being in this country.



Your call for removal of these protections is reckless and short sighted and does not represent the nation as a whole.



Your suggestion that "Open Season" be declared on the Hen Harrier, should those protections not be removed, is outrageous, grossly immorral, and could incite criminal action against this beautiful bird.



This story has now attracted attention of wildlife concious people on a larger stage than Limerick or even Ireland.



For these reasons you have undermined the credibility of Limerick County Council and damaged the environmentally concious image of our nation at an international level.



The undersigned demand your immediate resignation from Limerick County Council, and from the Irish Delegation to the EU Committee of the Regions.