Minister of State for Heritage Malcolm Noonan has appealed for information relating to the recent shooting dead of a White-tailed Sea Eagle beside Lough Owel, near Mullingar in Co Westmeath.
The young female was shot on December 6th, the day before Storm Darragh, in the Ballynafid/Portnashangan area at Lough Owel.
The young bird was part of the very successful National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) White Tailed Eagle Reintroduction Programme in partnership with Norway, Noonan said.
After being released into the Shannon Estuary in 2022, she travelled from north Kerry, spending time on the western seaboard before travelling to Armagh, Fermanagh, Cavan and other counties, including visiting Lough Ree in the north midlands.
“Lately she had returned to Westmeath where she moved between local lakes - Lough Owel, Lough Derravaragh and Lough Ennell,” Noonan said.
Satellite tags fitted by NPWS indicate that she died on December 6th.
“White Tailed Eagles are treasured by local communities and visitors to Ireland alike and any loss resonates throughout,”Noonan said.
“I appeal to the public to come forward with any information that they may have in relation to this incident. I am assured that NPWS are undertaking a thorough investigation led by the Wildlife Crime Directorate with the support of An Garda Siochána and will, where possible, bring the perpetrators of this unacceptable crime to justice,”he said.
Members of the public can contact the NPWS by emailing [email protected]. All reports will be treated in the strictest of confidence, Noonan said.
