A Burmese python at the National Reptile Zoo in Kilkenny (PA/Bairbre Holmes)Mr Hennessy said the animals were living “in about two inches of their own faeces”. Despite dogs needing to be licensed, in Ireland, there is very little regulation around the ownership of dangerous animals by private individuals. The rest are registered in County Down, along with three ring-tailed lemurs; there are 31 venomous snakes. James Hennessy of the National Reptile Zoo in Kilkenny (PA/Bairbre Holmes)He has also been called out to properties where crocodiles were being kept. He said his reptile zoo is the only place in Ireland that holds anti-venom, and only for the species they have.

Source: Irish Examiner December 29, 2025 11:35 UTC