THE IRISH Deer Society has denied that it or any of its members was responsible for the introduction of a species of Chinese deer, the Muntjac, in the southeast.
A Muntjac, a rapid breeder that is as small as a fox and is said to bark like a dog, has been shot in south Wicklow and another has been spotted along the Slaney in Co Wexford.
Consultant zoologist, Dr Ruth Carden, of the Irish Wildlife Trust, blamed the introduction on hunters and described those who had introduced them here illegally as "ignorant".
She also said the deer, which breed all the year round, unlike native or other introduced species, had potential to cause a lot of damage to farm crops and to forestry and would be very difficult to control.
However, this week, Mr Liam McGarry of the Irish Deer Society, said the species had not been introduced here by any of its members.
"Our members are responsible people and know it is illegal to introduced a species like this," he said.
"It is possible that the animals were introduced to a private estate and we are unhappy with the current situation on the regulations covering importation of wild animals," he said.
He said so far there was little evidence of the Muntjac in the southeast.
"We in the Deer Society are sure that none of our members were involved and we will work with the authorities to help resolve any difficulties which may arise," he said.