Fifth man accused of badger persecution charges

A fifth man has been accused of ‘interfering with a badger set and causing unnecessary suffering to a badger’ following the undercover operation carried out by the USPCA in Belfast recently.

Edward Edens, 21 from Strandburn Drive, Belfast appeared in Newtownards Magistrates Court today after his arrest last weekend, he has been bailed to return to court on 16th July.

The four other men charged shortly after the operation (Meles) in March were also present in the dock for the hearing. The men were remanded continuing bail until the 16 July also.

Operation Meles was launched in Belfast in March to assess the extent of badger persecution and badger baiting across  Northern Ireland.Properties in the areas of Banbridge and south Armagh were searched.

• Tweet