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Department of Arts, Heritage, and the Gaeltacht

One of the first white-tailed eagles bred in Ireland found dead after being shot

A post-mortem confirmed that the bird had dozens of shotgun pellets lodged in its body, but appears to have starved to death.

Updated 10.20pm

ONE OF THE first white-tailed eagles to be successfully bred in Ireland has been found dead after being shot.

Gardaí and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) are both conducting an investigation into the shooting.

A post mortem confirmed that the bird had been shot, and suffered a broken leg and wing, but not die immediately.

“This bird would have been unable to fish and forage as normal, and it appears that it slowly starved to death as a result,” Stefan Jones, a District Conservation Officer with the NPWS, said.

He said it was the surprising that the bird had managed to survive for any length of time, having been found with 50 shotgun pellets in it.

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The bird’s x-ray, with shotgun pellets visible. (Image Credit: Department of Arts, Heritage, and the Gaeltacht)

The male white-tailed eagle had been part of a breeding programme in Clare, and was one of two reared by eagles on Lough Derg.

It had flown from the nest in July last year.

The bird’s remains were found in a field in Tipperary, with the last reporting sighting of the two young eagles being near Dromineer, on the eastern shore of Lough Derg, in January.

Dr. Allan Mee, Reintroduction Project Manager, said he was shocked that this could happen just seven months after the animal left the nest.
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Project Manager Allan Mee holding the eagle’s body. (Image Credit: Department of Arts, Heritage, and the Gaeltacht)

“This bird and its sibling were the hope for the future of the species in Ireland”, he said.

“I feel gutted for these people [who had watched the animals progress] as well as the bird.”

Let’s hope its sibling and the other chicks to fly from nests in Ireland in 2014 will see a better fate. Ultimately it is up to ourselves to make this happen by cherishing the wonderful wildlife we do have, including eagles, and their habitats.

Ministers for Arts, Heritage, and the Gaeltacht Jimmy Deenihan said he was “shocked by this crime”.

He notes that eagles are a protected species, and is urging anyone with information to contact the relevant authorities.

Anyone with information can contact Nenagh Garda Station on 067-50450.

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One of the juvenile white-tailed eagles. (Image Credit: Valerie O’Sullivan)

In 2012, two eagles of the same breed were found dead in Mayo and Donegal, having been released from KIllarney National Park in 2010.

A post mortem revealed that one of the birds had high levels of poison in its system, and had also been shot.

Two others were poisoned in Co Cork last year, one of them fatally.

Originally published 4.52pm

Read: White-tailed eagles killed in Mayo and Donegal >

More: White-tailed eagles found poisoned in Co Cork >

Introduction: Momentous” eaglet births greeted with concern from farmers >

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    Mute Barbara Ledwidge
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    Mar 5th 2014, 5:02 PM

    I really really hope the Gardai find the barbarian who did this, but I doubt if they will.

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    Mute Sheila Larkin
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    Mar 5th 2014, 5:36 PM

    This makes my blood boil. Idiotic, uninformed pr!cks

    669
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    Mute Stephen Murphy
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    Mar 5th 2014, 6:18 PM

    Bring in forensics, put the heat on and try flush them out. Get people to volunteer, the type of gun that fired this shot and hand over to the Gardaí. If they are serious about wildlife, they’ll chase this up and nail them!

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    Mute Nigel Farrell
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    Mar 5th 2014, 6:34 PM

    It was shot with a shotgun Peter. It’s nearly impossible to trace the gun from pellets.

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    Mute Nigel Farrell
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    Mar 5th 2014, 6:35 PM

    Sorry, meant Stephen.

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    Mute Stephen
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    Mar 5th 2014, 6:39 PM

    It’s embarrassing to be Irish when things like this happen.

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    Mute Marc
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    Mar 5th 2014, 6:58 PM

    I hope the skumbag is caught

    206
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    Mute Michael Connolly
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    Mar 5th 2014, 7:05 PM

    Narrowed down to an Irish person responsible?

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    Mute Paul Nelly Nelson
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    Mar 5th 2014, 7:07 PM

    Even if they are caught they will at most only recieve a small fine, the penalties for abusing animals or killing protected species here are trivial.

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    Mute Damian Rossiter
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    Mar 5th 2014, 11:47 PM

    As one of the posters said the perpetrator may not be Irish but one thing you can be sure of is that the attempts to apprehend some one will most definitely be very Irish indeed unfortunately.

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    Mute Gus Sheridan
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    May 5th 2014, 8:19 AM

    Whatever about the size of the fine, their photo and personal details should be in the papers, there are some brain dead gobsh1tes around and Ireland. Falls far behind in animal welfare

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    Mute Antóin O' Cinnéde
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    Mar 5th 2014, 5:40 PM

    A lot of people on this Journal have wide and varying opinions on everything from the economy to International relations. But I think we can all agree a person who shoots a rare bird….is indeed a jackass

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    Mute moneymaid
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    Mar 5th 2014, 8:31 PM

    Here here

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    Mute Jamie McCormack
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    Mar 5th 2014, 9:25 PM

    You should get jail for that. Sadly this country has an abysmal record for protecting animals.

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    Mute Kevin Penrose
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    Mar 6th 2014, 7:25 AM

    I’m not sure but I think the maximum penalty is 3 months prison time and a ridicules fine.

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    Mute Peter
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    Mar 6th 2014, 2:58 PM

    Hefty Fine GOOD – Sentence a hell of a lot more I know what I would like to do if I could!!

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    Mute Al O'Saurus
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    Mar 5th 2014, 5:03 PM

    Absolute filth to kill such a magnificent creature.

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    Mute Eoin O'Hagan
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    Mar 5th 2014, 5:18 PM

    The hundreds of people living around Lough Derg and the thousands who visited Mountshannon to see the first chicks hatched in over 100 years will be devastated to hear this news today. There is an individual in Ballinderry Co. Tipperary who should hang his/her head in shame. The hard work that has been put in by The Golden Eagle Trust to reintroduce these amazing birds is tarnished when somebody kills one. The two chicks that hatched last year in Mountshannon went through so much to survive and fledge and were seen regularly flying over Lough Derg and surrounding countryside. It’s a sad sad day when some trigger happy individual decides to shoot one of Norways and natures gifts to the people of Ireland. http://i.imgur.com/LnWr0cl.jpg

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    Mute Sheila Larkin
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    Mar 5th 2014, 5:38 PM

    I’d no idea it was in this area, very near where I am originally from. Grrrrrrr

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    Mute Gus Sheridan
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    May 5th 2014, 8:21 AM

    If its an i dividual in Ballinderry then the suspicion falls on either a sheep farmer or a gamekeeper?

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    Mute Shauna Ward
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    Mar 5th 2014, 4:59 PM

    Human beings the worst species of all…..

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    Mute Stephen
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    Mar 5th 2014, 7:01 PM

    Without a doubt

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    Mute Suzanne
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    Mar 5th 2014, 7:22 PM

    I couldn’t agree more…

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    Mute Margaret Doyle Hanley
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    Mar 5th 2014, 4:56 PM

    Evil, if they can do that to a beautiful bird, there’s no hope for them at all.

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    Mute Aasif
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    Mar 5th 2014, 4:56 PM

    They’ll shoot anything they see in the sky they don’t care what it is, ban all guns and hunting

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    Mute Jaymie
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    Mar 5th 2014, 5:01 PM

    What’s the excitement in shooting something when it can’t shoot back.if you hunt to survive I’ve no problem but hunting for sport isn’t right.

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    Mute Daniel Rea
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    Mar 5th 2014, 5:11 PM

    Because hunting defensless creatures at a safe distance with a complete advantage makes you a real man.
    But what comes around goes around.
    They have blood on their hands.

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    Mute Aidan Ryan
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    Mar 5th 2014, 5:49 PM

    And you know this how???? Im a hunter and I would not dare shoot a rare beautiful animal such as this, nor would I shoot any protected animal or any game out of season.the poaching and killing of rare species is too common here however, I do think a compensation scheme of some kind should be established to satisfy some farmers who are worried about livestock.such a scheme would be difficult as it would be hard to prove lambs r being predated by eagles but something must be done if these projects are to survive!

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    Mute Daniel Rea
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    Mar 5th 2014, 5:57 PM

    “I’m a hunter”
    I though I’d stop reading there and then but I read on.
    “I wouldn’t dream if hunting rare beautiful creatures”
    So if the animal isn’t rare or beautiful it deserves to be shot. I see…..

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    Mute King Olaf
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    Mar 5th 2014, 5:57 PM

    Don’t bother Aidan, a lot of people here will refuse to believe that there is such a thing as a hunter who respects nature and wildlife. Doesn’t fit in with their agenda.

    Let them enjoy their cellophane packaged meat and veg.

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    Mute Aidan Ryan
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    Mar 5th 2014, 6:26 PM

    I had written a lengthy reply olaf but you are right.people against hunting cannot even have a proper debate because of their hardline stance.we should go for a couple shots next season..we can bring ur man daniel rea wit us aswell…ha ha!!

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    Mute King Olaf
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    Mar 5th 2014, 7:02 PM

    Yeah Aidan, its become more of a thing on this site now…if you have a view that differs wildly from the hive-mind, you may as well save your breath with any reasoning you might consider.

    You never know, taking him out on a hunt might be the only thing that would convince someone like Daniel that hunting is not the sport of evil murderers….just make sure you have your ethically sourced, fairtrade, soya based, gluten free soup and sambos for lunch!

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    Mute Suzanne
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    Mar 5th 2014, 7:24 PM

    Nicely said…

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    Mute Brian Burke
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    Mar 5th 2014, 7:33 PM

    I think you’ll find that when the legislation banning poisoning came into affect a few years back that a lot of local hunting groups and organisations offerred their services to help farmers with pest control – helping the farmers to get used to and adapt to the new poisoning regulations, and doing our protected raptors a big favour at the same time.

    Similarly, when the Eagles nested in Mountshannon there was a local gun club that voiced their support and delight. Hunters are not the enemy of the Eagles.

    There are plenty of hunters with a huge respect for wildlife. A lot of conservationists and ecologists from the past hundred years and before started out as hunters.

    (not a hunter myself btw, but I’m aware of all the good work that conservationists and hunters could potentially get done together!)

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    Mute Daniel Rea
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    Mar 5th 2014, 7:52 PM

    I’m extremely open to debate. It’s not my fault if I get lots of green thumbs and you get red.
    But there are issues that I’m inflexible on because they’re moral truths. Killing for sport is not right to me and I’m putting that mildly.
    Of course when you have people like King Olaf resorting to cheap slurs like the ‘Tinfoil hat’ people do it doesn’t bode well for your argument.

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    Mute King Olaf
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    Mar 5th 2014, 7:56 PM

    Well said, Brian. Over the years I have become more and more interested in conservation and the environment directly as a result of becoming involved in hunting. To such an extent that I have considered a career change because of it!

    Most hunters I know carry a notebook with them to mark down any unusual wildlife or endangered wildlife we may spot on the day. Also removing illegal traps and reporting areas where we may find illegal dumping or poisoning.

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    Mute Brian Burke
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    Mar 5th 2014, 7:57 PM

    Worth adding to this that the National Association of Regional Game Councils (NARGC) have been quick to condemn this illegal act, as have many of their members; and it has been the same for acts of poisoning and raptor persecution in the past.

    To quote them:
    NARGC Director, Des Crofton stated that “The NARGC, which has supported the Golden Eagle Trust from the beginning, condemns the illegal killing of any protected species as being not only irresponsible, but damaging to the interests of all responsible law-abiding firearms-owners in Ireland”.

    Des Crofton added that: “The vast majority of Irish firearms-owners are responsible law-abiding citizens and would not have a licensed firearm in their possession if they were not. Whatever the intent was to commit such a serious offence, any right-minded firearms-owner will find this illegal act completely irresponsible and blatantly unacceptable. There can be no hiding place within the shooting community for anyone who would commit such an act”. ”

    Statment available on their facebook page.

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    Mute Brian Burke
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    Mar 5th 2014, 7:58 PM

    And the success of the Grey Partridge and Red Grouse projects has been down to co-operation between hunting/gamekeeping and conservation organisations – and long may it continue!

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    Mute King Olaf
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    Mar 5th 2014, 8:29 PM

    No harm meant Daniel, my “slurs” were in jest. Green thumbs and red thumbs are meaningless at the end of the day. My argument with you would be that you refuse to be reasoned or debated with and therefore present yourself as an ignorant person.

    I don’t hunt for sport. I hunt for food…does it make me a bad person in your eyes because I enjoy it?

    Honestly what do you suggest people who do not wish to partake in the vegetarian lifestyle do?

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    Mute Avina Laaf
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    Mar 5th 2014, 8:56 PM

    Aidan, such a compensation scheme is already in place.

    The fact of the matter though is that White-tailed Eagles are generally scavengers, not hunters. Their plight isn’t helped by the fact that the IFA incorrectly told its members that the Eagles are a serious threat to lambs.

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    Mute Dagnet Taggart
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    Mar 5th 2014, 9:24 PM

    Ah Moral truths…The most selective morality there is..What is your moral truth might be utter baloney to another.

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    Mute Ross Stewart
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    Mar 6th 2014, 1:09 AM

    Dagnet, are there not morals truths that, though they may be baloney to others, are commonly regarded as being right? Such as an end to slavery, genocide, equal rights for all? Some moral truths are truths regardless of who disagrees with them. Killing animals for sport may very well be one of those.

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    Mute Eamon O'Gorman
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    Mar 6th 2014, 1:30 AM

    Do you eat meat Daniel, are you a vegetarian? If not, how much of a coward would you consider yourself seeing as you pay someone else do do your killing for you? In fact, how much of a coward do you consider the general population who pay others to slaughter animals for them? You know, like lambs, who let’s admit it are pretty defenseless, are brought to an abattoir to have some guy kill them. Aren’t all meat eaters cowards according to your logic, or perhaps if you think about it, for a hunter to go out and do it himself, does that make him. More or less of a coward than someone who wishes to hide away from the entire matter and buy their meat from a shelf all nicely wrapped so they don’t have to face the reality of what it means to have that meat delivered to them.

    Are hunters really the cowardly ones, the ones who face up to where their food comes from, who involve themselves fully in the process, who know more about the welfare of the animal they are eating, or are the cowards those who just can’t accept the reality of the situation and prefer to distance themselves from it and buy their meat from a vacuum packed package that has little hint of where it came from.

    Approach your argument with a little logic I would suggest rather than foolish statements like your post above.

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    Mute Ross Stewart
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    Mar 6th 2014, 11:52 AM

    You make some very valid points about meat eating and people not wanting to face up to the killing behind it. But I would think hunters less cowardly if they didn’t have guns. A man behind a gun is fearless, in front he is afraid.

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    Mute King Olaf
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    Mar 6th 2014, 12:05 PM

    What would be the point in that then? Be a gun, a spear, a bow and arrow, a trap….humans don’t have the natural appendages required to kill for food. So we invented them. The gun being the quickest and safest method. You seem to be another person commenting ignorantly on what you do not know…how else would a person a get their meat?

    Also how can you say hunters are cowardly at all? Have you ever been around a buck or on a bear hunt? Caution, respect and instinct all have a part to play.

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    Mute Avina Laaf
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    Mar 6th 2014, 12:21 PM

    Do you eat any bears that you hunt Olaf, or are they only killed for fun?

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    Mute Eamon O'Gorman
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    Mar 6th 2014, 12:21 PM

    Ross,

    Im afraid that doesnt make sense. There is no, or little risk to a hunter in ireland who goes out to hunt his own food. Hunting is not about bravado, or risk taking etc, it has nothing to do with that.

    There is also no risk to people who pay someone else to source and kill their meat for them.

    The only difference between the two, if you wanted to try and bring cowardice into it, is that the person who pays someone else to do it for them, is perhaps cowardly in a moral sense in that they do not wish to face up to or acknowledge the fact that their diet and eating habits depend on the slaughter of an animal.

    You may eat a sausage or a pork chop or steak, doesnt matter, that was delivered to your table by having a defenseless animal transported and herded into a slaughter house, and some individual who is paid to do so, stands at the end of a PRODUCTION LINE, and kills the animal.

    A hunter may eat a venison steak, sausage or chop, which was sourced by themselves going out into the countryside, stalking a wild animal in its own environment, and slaughtering/killing it with a firearm. They may then butcher the animal themselves, and bring it to the table.

    So which of these exactly is more cowardly than the other ?
    Which of these acts takes more responsibility in sourcing its food, and the welfare of the animal ?
    Which animal led a more free and healthy life ?
    Was it the pig, reared in a pen with an average life span of 4 months, and herded into the slaugher house, or was it the deer, roaming free and wild for generally a much longer time span, up until the time it was killed ?

    So, to call a hunter a coward, if you are a meat eater, is to be honest simply absurd.

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    Mute King Olaf
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    Mar 6th 2014, 12:40 PM

    @Avina – I have been on bear hunts twice with relatives in the states. There is a massive over population of black bears in north eastern states in particular. To answer your question, yes bear meat is pretty popular in that region with hunters. During the trip I had bear burgers, smoked sausages and soup. Very unique flavour but tasty none the less.

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    Mute Ross Stewart
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    Mar 6th 2014, 1:34 PM

    Eamon, I’m vegetarian so I’ve thought a lot about this over the last 20+ years. I would definitely prefer people to take responsibilty for the death of the animal they consume so yes I would prefer if people had to kill the animal personally as I think a lot more people would be vegetarian as they couldn’t face that concept. Hunters that kill for food are therefore ethically and morally more responsible. Hunters that kill for sport however are sadistic in my opinion as there is no necessity whatsoever and the only delight they must have to take is the death of an innocent being. Also, hunting wild animals who already have a tough time trying to survive in this humancentric country with their natural habitat ever dwindling, is not necessary either. Back to the point of this sea eagle, the person that killed it has no respect for life, no respect for the environment, no regard for endangered animals, possibly animals entirely and is a coward behind a shotgun. Agreed?

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    Mute Daniel Rea
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    Mar 6th 2014, 1:49 PM

    Yes I’m vegetarian. You’re right it would be totally hypocritical if me to financially support animal killers which is why I don’t. I’m as equally dismissive about people who buy meat but wouldn’t kill the animal as you are.

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    Mute Eamon O'Gorman
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    Mar 6th 2014, 4:34 PM

    @Ross,

    First off, completely agree with regards the individual who did this, its disgusting, pointless and unforgiveable. A jail sentence is what is required here, nothing less.

    With regards you comment re hunting wild animals, there is no doubt that the country is “human centric” and tbh, I dont have a problem with that, and based on that fact alone, you cannot say that it is not nececssary to hunt. The country being human centric, must have a balance, and no matter what you do, that balance will always require a level of management of our interaction with the wildlife around us. You may not like that fact, but it is still a fact, and tbh, burying your head in the sand and denying it would be pretty close to moral cowardice.

    I respect your opinion, and more so being that you are actually taking the not so easy route of being vegeterian, at least there is some credibility to your arguments in that regard. However, as you probably know, being vegetarian, does not remove the fact that you depend on and live off of the the proceeds and products of animals, so you are not completely removed from the system in that regard, perhaps you plan to go vegan in the longer term I dont know.

    I take it the comments regarding cowardice etc are no longer something you would automaticaly apply to the hunting community ? Its been said often, and really should’nt be dismissed so readily by people who dont understand the true nature of hunting for food, but the vast majority of those that partake in it have a deep concern and understanding for their environment and its surroundings, including the animals they hunt/eat. Without doubt, they show more awareness and concern for the animals they consume than the vast majority of people you will see pushing trollies down the aisles at tesco.

    I think when I consider hunting, I dont associate it with the word “sport” it is not a sport, it is much more than that, it is a way of life, its one of the few things in the modern world that allow us stay in touch with nature, and not be forced into the route of havin to consume mass produced foods etc.

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    Mute Eamon O'Gorman
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    Mar 6th 2014, 4:39 PM

    Sorry, forgot to add, that being said, of the large number of responsible hunters you get out there, there is always a few absolute gobshxxxs. Its just idiotic to condemn or generalise and demean a group based on what a very small minority do.

    You would not for example condem all car drivers based on the activities of a few criminal joy riders for example ?

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    Mute Eamon O'Gorman
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    Mar 6th 2014, 11:05 PM

    Daniel

    I’m not dismissive about people who buy meat, I’m just calling out the idiocy of people who condem hunters simply because they are more involved in the process than your supermarket shopper.

    And also, you being vegetarian does not remove the hypocrisy, you still use animal products, so your condemnation, or your dismissive of others who use animal products needs to be called out for what it is.

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    Mute Daniel Rea
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    Mar 7th 2014, 12:37 AM

    Hypocrisy?
    I said I’m vegetarian
    Vegan= not using animal products
    Vegetarian= not eating meat

    I didn’t say you were dismissive about people who eat meat, if you read my comment again I said that based on what you said you’re dismissive of people who eat meat but don’t want to know how it got on their plates, as am I dismissive of them. They’re hypocrites.

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    Mute Eamon O'Gorman
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    Mar 7th 2014, 1:59 PM

    Daniel,

    Im sorry, but you said in you r post on weds at 5:57pm in response to another poster who said

    “I’m a hunter”

    You replied:-
    I though I’d stop reading there and then but I read on.

    So, your attitude to hunters against those who buy or eat meat from stores etc, is very different (or was, perhaps its changed based on our discussion).

    You also said that you are not hypocrytical as you dont financially support animal killers, which, by virtue of the fact that you are not vega, is untrue.

    It seems that what you feel is acceptable is based purely on what fits within your own narrow view of the interaction humans have with animals. You do benefit from the use of animals, lboth living and dead, but you condem those who do so outside of the limits you choose to define whats ok and whats not.

    I would suggest that in future debates, you perhaps educate yourself a bit more about the subjects that you are debating on, and do not be so rash to stupidly condem a group of people while at the same time exposing your own ignroance and hypocrosy on the matter.

    If you want to stop being a hypocryte, live by your words, and go vegan, otherwise the old adage, “people in glass houses” should be at the forefront of your mind when discussing matters such as this.

    You know, if you were vegan, you would look far more credible than you have to date.

    And, by the way, just to correct you, I am not dismissive of people who purchase meat rather than source it themselves, I am dismissive of people who differentiate and jump to confusions about the latter, such as yourself.

    If you have a set of principles, its best that you abide by them, rather than simply claim you do.

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    Mute Daniel Rea
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    Mar 7th 2014, 2:45 PM

    I’ll just address the vegetarian/vegan point. I know that the cows who produce milk are sent to slaughter and that animal flesh and by products are intricately linked. I’m not currently situated to be vegan for purely practical reasons but I think, like most people I would assume, that doing a bit is better than doing nothing at all. It’s not for a person who hunts animals to dictate to a person who’s doing that bit to reduce the suffering of animals what constitutes a big enough effort.
    I want to make it clear that you seem to be a perfectly reasonable person and I don’t believe hunting makes you inherently bad, but I think you’re misguided and desensitised by your environment weather that’s the one you were raised in or choose to surround yourself with. Please don’t say I’m pigheaded in saying that because naturally I see things through a different coloured lens than you do and I’m telling you what it looks like to me.

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    Mute Eamon O'Gorman
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    Mar 7th 2014, 5:23 PM

    Thanks Daniel,

    A very reasoned reply. On the vegan thing, tbh, I dont think there are any practical reasons for not going that route if you truly believe that to be the case, I would suggest you jump into it, no point in delaying.

    Personaly, I dont beleive in it, but I respect people who truly commit to anything like this. I think only vegans can argue the animal use/anti hunting issue without sounding hypocritical.

    Regards hunters being desensitised, I actually think the exact opposite is the case, and your allegation of me being “misguided” is is to be honest, a little insulting.

    I’m 42 years old daniel, with a lifetime of experience, dont tell me I’m misguided or desensitised. I take exceptional care with what I do if I hunt for food (and I only hunt for food, I and my family eat everything I take).

    I am far from misguided, I chose the path I took very deliberately. I choose to eat meat, I think about it rationaly, and I make the decision to do so. Having made that decision, based on sound reason and logic, and experience (ive done the vegy thing, and was damn near vegan for a short while also). Having chosen to eat meat, I then chose and decided that the best way to do so was do enure that whereever possible, I source the meat myself, from animals that I am fully aware of from a welfare perspective.

    I deliberately choose to hunt for food, because it is without doubt the best and most certain way I can be that the animal has had a happy healthy life, and that I am fully aware of how it was culled and brought to the table.

    I deliberately choose to hunt for my own food, because I know I am not desensitised to it, unlike those who purchase their meat out of a packet, and unlike the abatoir worker who kills hundreds of animals a day in a production line. These people, yes they are desensitised, they dont see what is behind thier meal or their work.

    When I sit at a table and eat meat, I know quite well exactly where the animal came from, what state of health it was in, and how it was culled. I can recall the animal itself, I can remember how it looked like from field to plate, and I am far more aware that I am eating what was once a live animal than most people I know.

    I choose to do it, I choose it for the right reasons, and I make no apologies for it, whether it be an animal I hunt, I rear myself, or I purchase from local farmers markets etc. I very rarely consume meat from intensive farming methods, and I hate doing so.

    Misguided and desensitised, I am certainly not.

    Seeing things through a different coloured lens is all fine and well (its what makes life interesting), but that doesnt mean the lens you look through isnt a little clouded.

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    Mute Ross Stewart
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    Mar 7th 2014, 7:10 PM

    Eamon, I must say you’re a refreshing departure from the average hunter that I’ve engaged in over this issue. I wrote a lengthy reply to your comment yesterday but it never showed up when I posted it so I couldn’t face the idea of typing it all out again.
    One hunter I met 2 years back carried a gun in his car in case he came across anything he could shoot – in his own words he ‘would shoot anything that moved’ He didn’t eat them, he didn’t do anything with them, he just loved to shoot things dead. He boasted about how he didn’t even care about his hunting dogs – he had one dog that didn’t come back to him when he called, so one day he just shot it in the field when it disobeyed and left it there.
    That is the level of hunters that is in my mind when I enter into debates on this. You are a rare breed of hunter I would guess – even for the fact that you don’t dismiss veggies or vegans as ‘bleeding heart treehugger pussies’.
    Seeing as you brought it up, I am pretty much vegan – I eat my friends hen’s eggs so I wouldn’t call myself vegan – But as much as I can, I avoid all animal products, leather, animal fats, etc. I would agree with Daniel that going vegetarian is a huge step in the right direction ethically and as you know, is not an easy one to take. I find the argument that you can’t condemn hunting or factory farming without being completely vegan a strange one to make. It isn’t a case of either, or.
    I do think that we will never change our opinions on the ethics of killing a creature that is some other creatures mother, father or young. I am heartened to see that society is, generally becoming more compassionate towards our fellow earthlings and I hope that maybe, one day, hunting and factory farming may be a thing of the past.
    By the way, if you haven’t seen Earthlings, I highly recommend it, as I can see you are a man who thinks farther than the sights on your gun. Thanks for the debate

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    Mute Daniel Rea
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    Mar 5th 2014, 4:56 PM

    Disgusting

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    Mute metro101
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    Mar 5th 2014, 5:44 PM

    I live in a farming community. Someone round here shot our timid little cat recently. Thankfully the poor thing survived but has 14 pellets in him which can’t be removed. If someone can shoot a cat for fun you can only imagine the pleasure derived from shooting an eagle.

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    Mute Elizabeth King
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    Mar 5th 2014, 5:18 PM

    So sad that this happens in our country, such a magnificent creature. Unfortunately day after day there are more and more incidents of some animal being beaten, shot, starved or neglected – it is a very sad reflection on our society that the perpetrators continue to get away with this, the gardai will do nothing and our law makers don’t care, while the majority of the public may be shocked or upset but will invariably just move on to the next news story.

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    Mute Clodagh
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    Mar 5th 2014, 5:18 PM

    Travesty, particularly when you consider how much work people have put into the breeding programmes.

    The Department of the Environment should introduce a scheme whereby farmers who lose animals to eagles or other protected species can reclaim their losses. It would cost little or nothing to maintain and would remove any reason for this behaviour from farmers.

    To date environmentalists have made the mistake of saying that eagles do not pose a threat to livestock. This is blatantly untrue, particularly when it comes to the golden eagle. The approach is counter-intuitive as farmers believe they are being ridiculed and ignored. At the same time the eagle population in Ireland is so small that any losses would amount to very little in the grand scheme of things – much less than restarting new breeding programmes.

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    Mute Feargal Ó Cuinneagáin
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    Mar 5th 2014, 7:16 PM

    How many lambs have been reported killed by either Sea Eagle or Golden Eagle in Ireland? NONE. The scheme your are proposing will only encourage people to blame Eagles for their lambs losses in order to get compensation.

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    Mute Brian Burke
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    Mar 5th 2014, 7:16 PM

    Clodagh, there’s no point in introducing such a scheme for WTSE because they simply don’t take enough sheep to justify it, and it’d perpetuate the myth that they are a sheep killer!

    A study was done on Mull in Scotland that found c3-4% of lambs deaths investigated MIGHT have been down to WTSE predation, and that mounted to a very small number of lambs and were attributed to the same 2 eagles, indicating sheep predation (if that was in fact predation and not scavenging) is not a habit of WTSE’s but that there was possibly 2 problematic birds in that population.

    All of the evidence from the 7 or 8 years since we’ve had WTSE back in Ireland also indicates they aren’t a threat to sheep or lambs – there would have been uproar if they were, and several groups that criticised the release at the start have since said that they were wrong about the threat they posed and that they were a great addition to the countryside in Kerry and further afield.

    Golden Eagle is a different species and a different conversation.

    And farmers don’t believe that – there’s no need to tar all farmers with the same brush. Thankfully the majority of farmers have the cop on to realise the WTSE are of no threat, but unfortunately it only takes one ignorant idiot with a gun to do this kind of damage.

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    Mute Gus Sheridan
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    May 5th 2014, 8:27 AM

    Eagles will feed on DEAD lambs and sea eagles are not a threat to them.

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    Mute Glen
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    Mar 5th 2014, 5:07 PM

    Hope karma comes a knocking real soon

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    Mute dominic
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    Mar 5th 2014, 11:28 PM

    Yes Glen and let’s hope there will be justice,that the killer will be flushed out,that this act will be his unbearable albatross

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    Mute Rónán McLaughlin
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    Mar 5th 2014, 5:48 PM

    As a lifelong birder, there are no words to describe this hideous act, as for some of the idiotic ill informed comments above, is it any wonder conservation in this country is in the state it’s in.

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    Mute Dan
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    Mar 5th 2014, 5:09 PM

    you can get arrested in the states for shooting an eagle,don’t know about here

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    Mute Conor O'Brien
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    Mar 5th 2014, 6:25 PM

    In the Philippines you get 12 years without parole for killing one of their endangered eagles. Should bring it in here too – that’d soon put a stop to it.

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    Mute Stephen
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    Mar 5th 2014, 5:52 PM

    What a waste of such a magnificent animal.

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    Mute Irish Cottage Rental
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    Mar 5th 2014, 6:11 PM

    So sad. Our rural economy desperately needs conservation and farming to co-exist for the sake of jobs in agriculture, tourism and related areas. It works so well in Scotland – when will we learn or will we just keep destroying everything until it’s too late…

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    Mute Gus Sheridan
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    May 5th 2014, 8:24 AM

    irish Cottage Rental I agree it eorks well in Scotland but there is obviously a Co.Tipp individual who is low enought to do this, someone knows who it is, do they want Tipp to be in the worlds eye for this sort of publicity??

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    Mute Thomas O'Connor
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    Mar 5th 2014, 6:19 PM

    Utter s#umbags are the only words to describe the degenerates who committed this crime. Shocking how these beautiful bird’s can’t be left alone.

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    Mute Nicola Monaghan
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    Mar 5th 2014, 7:25 PM

    Good old Ireland. A country with a staggering amount of ignorant, uneducated and evil, animal abusing morons. Not a day goes by when there isn’t a story about yet more animals suffering at the hands of people in this country. It’s disgusting and I hope these people get the karma back 10 fold

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    Mute darragh murphy
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    Mar 6th 2014, 12:43 AM

    These things unfortunately happen in other countries too as the penalties in the US and Philippines show, so don’t just go ‘good old Ireland’. I’m with you in being angry about this but put a little thought into your comment.

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    Mute Nicola Monaghan
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    Mar 6th 2014, 7:10 AM

    I never opened my mouth about it not happening elsewhere. I was simply taking about my country and the things I see here every day. You’re just looking for an argument and clearly like to think you’re better than me by being condescending. Jog on

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    Mute Tony
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    Mar 6th 2014, 11:14 PM

    @ Nicola

    Your comment was very clear and correct Nicola, well said and fully agree with you.

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    Mute eVeLyN hUgHeS
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    Mar 5th 2014, 5:35 PM

    When have farmers said they love all animals? I wouldn’t be convinced of that. Mine was a farming family and u don’t want to become attached to animals. Anyway not farmers anymore so surrounded by animals we love. This was an amazing bird, the wing span. Hate hunting

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    Mute Ollie O'Cleirigh
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    Mar 5th 2014, 5:03 PM

    I would not just blame farmers. That part of the lake is popular with wild fowlers. It may even be someone hunting.

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    Mute Cormac Ryan
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    Mar 5th 2014, 5:20 PM

    Shooting a protected species is immediately going to point the finger at the farmer who owns the land

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    Mute Brian Burke
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    Mar 5th 2014, 7:17 PM

    Around lambing season Ollie – It sounds like it was probably a farmer.

    Needless to say we shouldn’t blame all farmers – it was the act of one particularly ignorant individual.

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    Mute Tony
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    Mar 5th 2014, 7:04 PM

    It’s going to be impossible for this breeding programme to succeed unless some peoples attitude change for the better.

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    Mute Michael Garett
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    Mar 5th 2014, 5:06 PM

    People in urban areas have guns and dogs too. Hunting and shooting not the preserve of rural dwellers. All these rare birds seem to come to a grizzly end.

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    Mute The whistler
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    Mar 5th 2014, 5:53 PM

    Most of the hunters I know are of limited capacity in the intelligence stakes

    Throw a blanket ban on shotgun licence renewals in the area until someone starts talking

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    Mute Dervila O' Sullivan
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    Mar 5th 2014, 10:20 PM

    That is a ridiculously ignorant statement to make about hunters intelligence.

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    Mute Eamon O'Gorman
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    Mar 6th 2014, 1:21 AM

    The hunting community is probably overall the same level of intelligence as the rest of the community, perhaps it’s just the general intelligence level of the people you tend to associate with the reason why hunters you know are of lower intelligence.

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    Mute Jill :D
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    Mar 5th 2014, 9:43 PM

    Wow I never realised the size of the beautiful creature. What the hell is wrong with the person who shot it? Are they brain dead or something?

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    Mute Helen Farrell
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    Mar 5th 2014, 7:41 PM

    I was heading up to Slieve Na mBan in the late 90′s and remember the gut-wrenching shock I got to see the carcass of a young fox hung up on a gate, as if it were an example. Have attitudes to wild animals not changed in this area with the passage of time?

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    Mute Kay Dennehy
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    Mar 5th 2014, 5:54 PM

    That poor bird would also have lead poisoning, shame on the maverick gunman who did that

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    Mute Jack Bowden
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    Mar 5th 2014, 5:30 PM

    They should take the guns off the local farmers until they find out who’s responsible.

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    Mute Eamon O'Gorman
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    Mar 6th 2014, 1:18 AM

    Yeah, there was a hit and run in dobkin a few weeks ago, they should confiscate everyone’s car until the culprit is identified or someone reports him

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    Mute Pete
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    Mar 5th 2014, 6:36 PM

    As a shooter the wrong type of person can all to easily get legally held guns and here is the result. Take into account someone who for example lost a few chickens\lambs to mink\fox or eagle would easily end up shooting a sparrow hawk or other bird of prey to protect there stock. Chances are who ever shot this bird probably would never know it was a white tailed eagle unless someone pointed it out. All gun owners have a responsibility to understand not only how fatal and terrifying guns can be but the importance of a thriving and balanced eco system and should have prove it when applying for a licence! People who don’t have gun safes, and keeps the guns where there they have for generation and vulnerable to theft should think about their responsible and consciences if robbed. Only little insecure person would think this bird is a trophy and thankfully their in a dying minority in this society.

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    Mute Feargal Ó Cuinneagáin
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    Mar 5th 2014, 9:36 PM

    If somebody is not able to identify a white tailed eagle , the why the hell are they able to get a gun licence?

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    Mute Eamon O'Gorman
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    Mar 7th 2014, 2:07 PM

    I dont think by any stretch of the imagination could it be claimed that the person who shot this animal did not know what it was.

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    Mute O'hUidhir Sean
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    Mar 5th 2014, 5:13 PM

    It has been proven in Scotland that these eagles have attacked and killed lambs. How would any of you like it if your livelihoods were threatened and impacted by these birds. Why don’t we make the whole country a nature reserve altogether and forget agriculture (20% of our economy)!!!!

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    Mute rotund jocularity
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    Mar 5th 2014, 5:18 PM

    If my livelihood was dependant on 2 or 3 lambs I’d consider a career change. Hick apologist.

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    Mute Fool Hunter
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    Mar 5th 2014, 5:18 PM

    Ah Jaysus same as fishermen blaming seals for the lack of fish stocks! There is an eco system that the farmers should respect, and these birds are vital to a healthy land.

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    Mute Clodagh
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    Mar 5th 2014, 5:20 PM

    See my point above, there is an obvious solution to this. Environmentalists who claim eagles pose no threat to lambs lack all credibility.

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    Mute Richard Day
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    Mar 5th 2014, 5:25 PM

    Christ they must eat 100′s !! If we release any more of these I’ll buy 20 lambs of the local farmers. What a lame excuse

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    Mute Janet Leonard
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    Mar 5th 2014, 5:28 PM

    Farmers say they love all animals well as far as I can see the only animals they love are the ones that make them money..
    This is just disgusting and shame on anyone that could shoot down such a beautiful Bird and leave it to starve to death. They should have all guns taken off them.

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    Mute susanna smyth
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    Mar 5th 2014, 5:31 PM

    @ O’h. A bunch of thick rednecks

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    Mute Johnny Eutah
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    Mar 5th 2014, 5:34 PM

    Our lives and careers are threatened by fingers fingleton and many others, doesn’t mean we resort to shooting them as tempting as it may be.

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    Mute Íde Mhic Gabhann
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    Mar 5th 2014, 5:40 PM

    Do you have evidence to back that up?

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    Mute O'hUidhir Sean
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    Mar 5th 2014, 5:40 PM

    Sure we could reintroduce wolves as well, maybe import a few grizzly bears while we’re at it. If you want to look at Norwegian birds go to Norway or watch David Attenborough.

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    Mute Leslie Alan Rock
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    Mar 5th 2014, 5:47 PM

    I was trying to find the right words for him but you got it spot on john

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    Mute Leslie Alan Rock
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    Mar 5th 2014, 5:49 PM

    Silly little boy. Go home and play with your massey ferguson

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    Mute John Little
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    Mar 5th 2014, 5:53 PM

    Can you link to this proof?

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    Mute O'hUidhir Sean
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    Mar 5th 2014, 6:01 PM

    Very eloquent retorts here to the so-called “hick” farmers, who create Millions of euro from exports for the exchequer annually, create thousands of jobs in meat industry, which in turn pays for new schools, public transport, social welfare, new hospitals in urban areas.What is the purpose of these eagles other than their aesthetic qualities??

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    Mute rotund jocularity
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    Mar 5th 2014, 6:12 PM

    Hick response

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    Mute Rónán McLaughlin
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    Mar 5th 2014, 6:21 PM

    Look, it’s pretty obvious to me that you haven’t a clue what you are taking about, just wondering how much of my tax money goes to paying for your Massey ferguson, or how much in subsides you get from me, that’s right its people like me that keep thick ignorant idiots like you in business. How is your farming model plan, maybe if you had to work the land instead of relying on putting 20 lambs in an acre of land surrounding it by barb wire and call it farming! If you knew anything about the land you’d know that these birds are a requirement for a healthy ecosystem, if people like you let these birds thrive there would be less hooded crows woodpigeon etc there would be a more balanced ecosystem, but then again given your remarks already I’m sure you wouldn’t understand that!

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    Mute The whistler
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    Mar 5th 2014, 6:22 PM

    Trust me horse, us urbanites are the ones subsidizing the farmer when it comes to services. While the EU prop up your industry

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    Mute Thomas O'Connor
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    Mar 5th 2014, 6:24 PM

    So you condone shooting them!!!! Barbarians!!!!!!

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    Mute O'hUidhir Sean
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    Mar 5th 2014, 6:47 PM

    Haha your a birder, how sad, why don’t you have a man’s pastime like hunting?? lol

    Well Ireland pays pennies into the EU budget, so you DON’T in fact pay farmers, Germans and English pay Irish farmers for their meat to consume, there alternative is import disease ridden brazilian meat or allow markets to open for exports to middle east/ north america etc.

    Extracting fossil fuels is not good for the ecosystem, cars, dumps etc, etc.

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    Mute O'hUidhir Sean
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    Mar 5th 2014, 6:48 PM

    Haha your a birder, how sad, why don’t you have a man’s pastime like hunting??

    Well Ireland pays pennies into the EU budget, so you DON’T in fact pay farmers, Germans and English pay Irish farmers for their meat to consume, there alternative is import disease ridden brazilian meat or allow markets to open for exports to middle east/ north america etc.

    Extracting fossil fuels is not good for the ecosystem, cars, dumps etc, etc.

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    Mute George Salter
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    Mar 5th 2014, 6:55 PM

    You may not have noticed, but most of our exported farm produce (value-wise) is produced at a massive loss, and is only sustainable due to EU transfers.

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    Mute Rónán McLaughlin
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    Mar 5th 2014, 7:15 PM

    Yes a birder, conservationist from a very proud fishing and farming community and damn proud of it. Are the people of north cork of you? Do us all a favour and don’t reproduce! So tell us all how much in subsides does it take to keep you in business?

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    Mute Brian Burke
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    Mar 5th 2014, 7:23 PM

    It hasn’t actually been proved Sean – if you’re talking about the study I’m thinking of it found that there was a small number of lambs (less than 10 I think, and c.3-4% of the dead lambs examined) that MIGHT have been killed by Eagles. Big difference between MIGHT and Have, and it was a tiny amount of lambs overall, not a threat to anyone’s livelihoods. And since they were brought back there’s been no problem with them taking lambs here either, and a lot of farmers have acknowledged that. Just a few ignorant ones who would rather stay ignorant than acknowledge the evidence unfortunately.

    And I think you’ll find that we’re one of the worst countries in Europe for protecting our wildlife and environment, and agricultural activity here is carried out at the expense of the environment. Not that I blame the farmers, I blame the policy makers – but we could be paying the exact same amount of money to farmers and farming families, but getting them to work in an environmentally manner. Everyone would win then, which is in stark contrast to the way things are now.

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    Mute Brian Burke
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    Mar 5th 2014, 7:28 PM

    It’s “you’re”, not “your”, and I have no problem with hunting but it’s no more of a “man’s pastime” than anything else. If you need hunting to make you feel masculine then I pity you – sounds like you’re using the long barrel of your gun to compensate for something!

    Idiots like you do the proper hunters in this country a big disservice.

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    Mute Avina Laaf
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    Mar 5th 2014, 9:09 PM

    Sean, it was found in Scotland that the number of lambs predated by Eagles was negligible, and that many of those that were killed were unlikely to have survived anyway due to their small size (well below average for lambs of the same age).

    http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/47060/0014566.pdf

    Don’t try and use that argument to excuse the slaughter of this beautiful bird.

    Also the financial benefits to the countryside that live Eagles would attract (in tourism etc.) is a multiple of literally thousands of the cost of a few lambs.

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    Mute Eamon O'Gorman
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    Mar 6th 2014, 1:37 AM

    Two Eagles in the entire country are not a threat to anyone’s living ffs!

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    Mute Brigid Ní Raghallaigh
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    Mar 6th 2014, 8:51 AM

    Nothing quite like an article detailing the mistreatment or untimely death of an animal or bird for making the Irish people turn on themselves. Its a pity about the Eagle alright but the story shouldn’t be used a platform for people pedaling their own bizarre prejudices.

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    Mute cutsie
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    Mar 5th 2014, 5:33 PM

    It’s good to see the police taking action on wildlife crime.

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    Mute Tony Gregan
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    Mar 5th 2014, 8:53 PM

    This makes me physically sick.cannot believe the mentality of someone who would do this.

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    Mute Eamon O'Gorman
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    Mar 6th 2014, 1:33 AM

    I agree, I’m confused how someone managed to give your comment a thumbs down though!!

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    Mute Eoin O'Hagan
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    Mar 5th 2014, 10:30 PM

    Here’s a video of one of the Eagle Chicks the day it visited the harbour in Mountshannon. Even when only 5 months old it was beautiful. This could even be the one that was killed. What a waste. What a waste. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RFDkgPoRj0

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    Mute Donna L Tier
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    Mar 5th 2014, 9:53 PM

    Brain dead Neanderthals !!!

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    Mute darnell
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    Mar 5th 2014, 10:48 PM

    Didn’t know we had eagles in Ireland! So cowardly and disgusting shooting animals for fun. Anyone who shoots little birds with big guns is probably compensating for their small penises.

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    Mute John Kelly
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    Mar 6th 2014, 10:27 AM

    What an absolute shame. These birds are such magnificent creatures, I’ve had the pleasure of being up close and personal with a couple of them over the past couple of years. They are beautiful animals. They should be something that we are fiercely proud of as a nation, they are a part of our history and culture being an indigenous species that thrived here before they were wiped out over a 100 years ago.

    Feel really sorry for Allan Mee and all the other volunteers and people that have done so much work to try and re-introduce these species into Ireland. How disheartening it must be when you are faced with so much stupidity and downright ignorance. When all the hard work in getting it to a point where two birds have successfully mated in the wild and chicks have fledged, all to be undone in a couple of seconds by complete and utter drooling imbeciles with shotguns.

    I’m sorry to say this, but I think the project to re-introduce the bigger species like the sea eagles and the golden eagles are doomed to failure in this country. We’re just too ignorant, immature, greedy and stupid as a nation to make it work, and it’s hard to see that changing any time soon. This mentality was all too apparent when the first consignment of sea eagles to be delivered into Ireland was met by protests from kerry famers. “What’s in it for us?” seemed to be the message coming from the IFA at the time. I really hope I’m wrong, but it looks like such an uphill battle to make this work.

    These birds are better off staying in Scandinavia, or places where the people are mature enough and informed enough to appreciate them and understand how important they are to the eco-system.

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    Mute Barney r
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    Mar 5th 2014, 5:48 PM

    Get off my land!

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    Mute Jon Mackey
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    Mar 5th 2014, 11:08 PM

    Piano wire pulled tightly around the neck of the criminal who pulled the trigger. Right or wrong, that’s how I’m feeling right now :(

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    Mute Cormac Anthony Smith
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    Mar 6th 2014, 2:29 AM

    Lucky enough I’ve had great pleasure in getting to watch this bird for a number off dayz as it was hunting close to my home January 2014. Magnificent bird.

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    Mute Daire Stynes
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    Mar 6th 2014, 6:30 AM

    Hope they catch the fcuk that shot this bird

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    Mute Mary McMahon
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    Mar 6th 2014, 3:05 AM

    This bird was left to die a slow and painful death ,i wish they’d stop releasing these birds as hardly a week goes by without an article about them been shot or poisoned .The skies above Ireland are obviously not big enough for a couple of birds of prey ,to many vultures on the ground.

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    Mute Warren Collier
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    Mar 6th 2014, 8:07 AM

    Horrible that the poor animal had to suffer and didn’t get a quick death. Terrible attitude to towards animals in this country, seeing it every day now on social media with neglect and abuse. Start serving out long prison sentences please!

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    Mute Kevin Penrose
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    Mar 6th 2014, 7:56 AM

    One of the most majestic birds on our planet, and some fool has to go and murder it.

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    Mute Bridget Erridge-Heappey
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    Mar 6th 2014, 9:02 AM

    Before everyone gets totally convinced about it being locals or farmers there was at least one incident in the are where I grew up where I saw two men shooting in our neighbours field. I knew that the neighbours were very anti hunting so I got over the ditch and had a look at their bag which was absolutely stuffed full of anything they could pick off like thrushes, pidgeons, and tits so I rang the Gardaí.
    They were Italians who had in good faith booked a shooting holiday here, they had been provided with guns and equipment and dropped by minibus to the area and told they could do as they pleased. They had paid through the nose for the package and were totally bewildered as to why they were being put in the back of a squad car.
    Thankfully they missed the pair of nesting kestrels that we’d been keeping quiet about.

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    Mute Irish Republican
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    Mar 5th 2014, 6:08 PM

    No doubt a bunch of Shinner thugs out practicing

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    Mute Larry Dunne
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    Mar 5th 2014, 5:34 PM

    Ignorance is bliss

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    Mute Pete
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    Mar 6th 2014, 12:39 AM

    Does anybody or any fishing club have a stocked lake in that area, would be handy for the eagles, not so for the owner.

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    Mute Steven Collins
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    Mar 5th 2014, 9:55 PM

    Funny how farmers always get d blame bet yer not complainin when yer eatin the food they produce

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    Mute Jerome
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    Mar 5th 2014, 10:26 PM

    What in gods name had eating farm produce got to do with shooting a magnificent bird that families with their kids are willing to go see, book in to local B&Bs, pay good money in restaurants & bars etc. This country will never grow up by the looks of things !

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    Mute Brian Burke
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    Mar 5th 2014, 10:43 PM

    Farmers aren’t to blame Steven – one individual farmer is to blame. I’m sure there’s plenty of farmers in that area that are equally annoyed as the rest of the country with what happened.

    No need for the persecution complex or the nonsensical statement that somehow relates killing a protected species that feeds on fish, waterbirds and carrion to food production.

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    Mute Jerome
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    Mar 5th 2014, 10:56 PM

    Brian – I think u made a comment earlier to the effect that there was no need to introduce a system of compensation for farmers when & if there might b a suggestion that vulnerable young livestock are taken by eagles, as it doesn’t happen & such a policy would suggest it does. I think it should – no 1. Money is the only thing that certain folk understand and no 2, if no money is paid out or if negligent moneys are paid out then that would lend to your theory.

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    Mute Brian Burke
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    Mar 5th 2014, 11:24 PM

    Jerome – I fully realise that money is the only thing that certain folk understand! That’s why this person should be hit in the pocket as hard as possible. Single Farm Payments are an important income for farmers in Ireland and are dependant on maintaining certain environmental standards. Needless to say shooting an Eagle goes completely against this, so this person should never get SFP ever again. They should also be fined as much as possible under the Wildlife Acts, and should never get a firearms license again. That will make it very difficult, maybe impossible for them to continue farming and will send a message to any other lunatics out there. Money is the only thing a lot of people understands, so this will send out the message that they will be hit hard financially if they do something as blatantly ignorant and illegal as this.

    I made the point somewhere else that you’d probably have a few unscrupulous individuals trying their hardest to link animal deaths to Eagles if such a system was in place, and like I said above the fact that DAHG/NPWS have a compensation scheme will be used as evidence that predation is a problem.

    I think we need to maintain the perspective that it was one guy who did this. While the WTSE project has had a tough time, things have definitely improved in recent years. The guys who run the project aren’t idiots and I’m sure at some point they examined the necessity/usefulness of a livestock/predation compensation scheme but decided it wasn’t necessary and wouldn’t benefit the project.

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    Mute Jerome
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    Mar 5th 2014, 11:26 PM

    ie ur theory being that these magnificent birds pose no threat to young livestock. Something needs to be done.

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    Mute Jerome
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    Mar 5th 2014, 11:33 PM

    Withholding single farm payments could b the answer then. Given the likelihood that the culprit will b difficult to identify, then a duty of care/trust, call it what you will, will need to apply to landowners on which such birds are killed or maimed. That financial penalty must apply to that landowner otherwise it is money for nothing.

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    Mute Brian Burke
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    Mar 5th 2014, 11:42 PM

    It’s not my theory. There are scientific publications that show that any impact of WTSE’s is negligible, and the experience in the last 8 or so years with the release of over a hundred WTSE’s is that lamb predation simply isn’t an issue.

    But yes – I agree that finances are the way to get through to the ignorant few, and as I said there’s a mechanism in EU CAP payments that would have SFP revoked for such illegal actions. No farmer wants his SFP taken.

    Not sure exactly what you mean by that last comment, but it’s not as simple as just applying it to the landowner who’s land the bird is found on. A proper investigation would have to be made, and then maybe the balance of probability should be applied to any possible penalty.

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    Mute Jerome
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    Mar 5th 2014, 11:52 PM

    Thanks again – my point is, if SFP is linked to environmental protection and promotion of diversity, and young eagles are shot on land subject to SFP, then surely that SFP payment should not be paid – otherwise SFP is money for nothing !

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    Mute Brian Burke
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    Mar 5th 2014, 11:57 PM

    The difficulty is that, in cases like this one, an Eagle could be shot or poisoned in one place, but die and be found in a neighbours land. So that’s why a follow up investigation would be necessary. Needless to say if poison is found on someones land, or if you have a witness who can say that he saw Mr.X shooting an Eagle then it makes it easier, but it’s rarely that simple unfortunately.

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    Mute grainne
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    Mar 6th 2014, 12:01 PM

    Is it that easy to get a gun? Surely the gardai would have names of gun owners in area and could “visit” to check these guns

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    Mute Tim O'Halloran
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    Mar 6th 2014, 10:10 AM

    Lets hope the other one flew off to a civilised country.

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    Mute Yellow Buzzinfly
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    Mar 5th 2014, 5:50 PM

    Cannot say whether the shooter shot the golden bird by mistake for a pheasant or just for ‘fun’ Surprised by Jimmy Deehian’s comment being ‘shocked’ despite he supports blood sports

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    Mute Paul Nelly Nelson
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    Mar 5th 2014, 6:05 PM

    Mistaken for a pheasant? Get real, they are several times larger and the fact that it was shot with a shotgun meant that it was close enough to know it wasnt a pheasant.

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    Mute Yellow Buzzinfly
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    Mar 5th 2014, 6:16 PM

    @ Paul. So I assume it was shot by a farmer or a trouble maker otherwise the shooter would be in need to visit SpecSavers

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    Mute Paul Nelly Nelson
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    Mar 5th 2014, 7:13 PM

    It would be like confusing a jack russel with a labrador

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    Mute Brian Burke
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    Mar 5th 2014, 7:25 PM

    It was shot by someone who had a very good idea what it was. It definitely wasn’t shot by someone thinking it was a pheasant. It more than likely was shot because the person *thought* they were protecting their lambs, when in fact White-tailed Eagles pose f**kall of a threat to lambs.

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    Mute Eamon O'Gorman
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    Mar 6th 2014, 1:42 AM

    This incident has as much to do with hunting as joy riding or grand theft auto has to do with hunting.

    A disgusting and deliberate act, but hunting or sport it was not. It was a criminal activity by some Gobdaw

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    Mute Steven Collins
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    Mar 5th 2014, 11:57 PM

    Brian how do you know it was a farmer. Your very presumptious in your comments. It is not written anywhere in the article that it was a farmer that shot the bird. Im not saying it wasnt a farmer but i dont think we can start finger pointing when we dont know. It could have been anyone.

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    Mute Brian Burke
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    Mar 6th 2014, 12:08 AM

    Steven I’ve made it clear that I’m not pointing fingers at the farming community here. I’ve said it above that I’m sure the majority of farmers in Tipperary and around Lough Derg are disgusted at this. I’m sure most would want this individual weeded out as much as the rest of us.

    So I’ve made it clear that this was one individual – a criminal, who probably happens to be a farmer. The bird was shot around lambing season, in a very rural area. Some farmers, despite the evidence, still believe WTSE’s to be a threat to lambs and sheep. So all of that evidence indicates that the person who did it is probably a farmer with sheep in the area. Nobody else would be convinced that they had something to gain by shooting the Eagle, and you’d have to be very convinced to shoot something as high profile as an Eagle in an area that is well known for having adult and juvenile WTSE’s.

    It could have been another firearms owner, but if we take all of the evidence into account it’s unlikely it was anyone else.

    Feel free to point to some facts that I’m missing out on that indicates it was an astronaut or a ghost or whoever you think it might be!

    From what we know of this case, and previous case, it seems highly probable that it was a man, who lives in Tipperary, and is a farmer with sheep. I’m not pointing fingers at the farming community any more than I’m pointing fingers at the male community, or the people of Tipperary. I repeat, this was one individual who happens to be all of the above.

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    Mute Jerome
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    Mar 6th 2014, 12:10 AM

    If the head of the IFA made a statement to the effect that eagles prey on vulnerable lambs, that might suggest that farmers might be considered as having a reason to take the law in to their own hands. That comment in itself will encourage people,with good reason, to associate farmers with the killing. It’s up to IFA and local farmers to remove the finger if suspicion, if they can.

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    Mute jimjoryrt
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    Mar 6th 2014, 12:07 AM

    It’s a bird folks, a bit if perspective please

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    Mute Jerome
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    Mar 6th 2014, 12:11 AM

    Like a crow ?

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    Mute Cealan
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    Mar 6th 2014, 11:51 AM

    This is horrible! Such beautiful birds!

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    Mute Jean Martin
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    Mar 6th 2014, 1:02 PM

    so if hunters aren’t killing these beauties, who is and why?

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    Mute Jason Mullan
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    Mar 6th 2014, 1:44 PM
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    Mute Anthony Connors
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    Mar 6th 2014, 1:17 AM

    Shoot them all killing all the hares and lams

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    Mute Peter Hackett
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    Mar 6th 2014, 11:25 AM

    Well the farmer must know who on there land shooting ……Muppet s disgrace to say a bird can’t fly

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    Mute jimjoryrt
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    Mar 6th 2014, 5:23 AM

    If I was out coursing do you think I’d think twice about shooting it if it got in the way? A glorified crow

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    Mute Jerome
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    Mar 6th 2014, 6:39 AM

    Back to bed troll.

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    Mute Gus Sheridan
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    May 5th 2014, 8:17 AM

    A large reward might be whats required to loosen a few tongues and give the name of this moron who did this, if there is a reward fund set up here ai for one would contribute!

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