Animal activists in Co. Kerry have expressed outrage after the discovery of the headless carcasses of six endangered Irish red deer.
The remains of the six deer were discovered over a three week period last month, within close proximity to one another in the Rossacroo area. Authorities believe the animals were killed for the possible sale of the deer heads as trophy-wall ornaments.
“The most recent deer carcass was again found with the head removed, but this time it was also found close to the other killings,” Damien Hannigan, secretary of the Wild Deer Association of Ireland (WDAI) told the Irish Examiner.
“There have been similar killings of this kind over the years, but these recent incidents happening over such a short time-period do indicate that this kind of activity is certainly on the increase,” Hannigan added.
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Red deer are the only species of deer native to Ireland. Due to hunting and deforestation, the rare breed of Irish deer has become endangered in recent decades.
“What is particularly worrying about this is the Red Deer is a unique and endangered species dating its existence right back to the Ice Age.”
“Local people are appalled at this kind of criminal activity right on their doorstep, and particularly as the red stag in Kerry is seen as an emblem of the National Park and a very important tourist draw in itself.”
The WDAI has encouraged the public to stay vigilant.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.merefalow | Jan 06, 2012, 11:17 AM EST
another example of the disregard and contempt for animal life???the hunting shooting fishing fraternity's sporting achievements..sickening.
GeorgeDillon | Dec 10, 2011, 02:55 PM EST
Cuculin (sic): I don't mind being insulted, as long as it's in the ancient language of the Gael. However reluctance to contract your galar gnéas-tarchurtha inclines me against taking you up on that invite.
GeorgeDillon | Dec 10, 2011, 02:53 PM EST
Cuculin (sic): I don't mind being insulted, as long as it's in the ancient language of the Gael. However reluctance to contract your inclines me against taking you up on that invite.
seanomelbourne | Dec 09, 2011, 05:59 PM EST
Carefull where you place your balls I would'nt trust Georgy.cuculin unlike nitpicking george we get the picture without the full spelling.
cuculin | Dec 09, 2011, 09:08 AM EST
GeorgeDillion your an Amadan. For one thing I have told you more than once the reason for the way I Spell "Cuchulainn" and for your information I know exactly who the suspects are. I just don't like going on public forums pretending I know more than I do ( Unlike you )Your always on here forcing your mostly incorrect opinions about Ireland and you almost always get yourself into some sort of argument with other posters. You probably haven’t even been to Ireland. So from now on I am not going to respond to your nonsense. One more thing, Diúl mo liathroidí.
seanomelbourne | Dec 09, 2011, 05:08 AM EST
Sopme people need to lighten up they take themselves to seriously. Rudolph is dead long live rudolph.
littlefoot1947 | Dec 08, 2011, 02:43 PM EST
this is to towngate:If dat be the case din,why was the carcass left & just the head taken? Last I remember the head was liken'to the steerin' wheel & the body to to the the engine & the body of the car. If you remember Santa's Reindeer never get old or lame they are just like Santa,for always in our memories. So don't lie on Santa like that.
littlefoot1947 | Dec 08, 2011, 02:29 PM EST
Why aren't there Game Wardens around? I hope they catch the #ss#holes that did this abhorrant ,insidious, & inhumane act. I could understand if they & their family were starving but to just leave the carcass just to rot. What does the government do with the meat do they just throw it in some dumpster or what? Well I hope they are caught& their cell is cold,the blanket they cover with is thin & their arse gets frostbitten!!!!!
GeorgeDillon | Dec 08, 2011, 01:49 PM EST
Cuculin (sic--check the correct spelling): Your post just shows how bad are your contacts in Killarney. As of now I cannot say it for sure, but I am told that all signs are pointing to Eastern European settlers. They've already done it to the deer in the Wicklow mountains. Remember (you probably don't, because your head is up your fundament) that Eastern Europeans were years ago proven to be guilty of denuding Irish rivers and lakes of fish that the Irish consider dirty (pike etc.) The Poles love 'em, and they have stripped the Irish lakes of them. And it's just a few weeks ago that Romanian settlers were found to be stealing the crosses and monuments from cemeteries in Galway in order to send them back to the "old country". Wake up, and stop being such a dope, Cuculin (sic)--Ireland is being dismantled in front of us and the Irish are unable to protect their heritage.
cuculin | Dec 08, 2011, 10:24 AM EST
Is that right George. I am from Killarney and have spoken to several people in " The Know" and without Generalizing they don’t know who did this, or who has being doing it on and off for 20 years! Also Sir Peter, trust you to focus on the unimportant part of the story as per usual. Nice to see that one bit of misinformation irks you more than 6 illegally decapitated Deer.
seanomelbourne | Dec 08, 2011, 01:15 AM EST
Santa will have to upgrade to a power sleigh.
seanomelbourne | Dec 07, 2011, 04:53 PM EST
Paranoia george is ranting again.I hope he does'nt sprout horns and visit the kingdom.
GeorgeDillon | Dec 07, 2011, 01:01 PM EST
Word from Ireland is that Eastern European gangs are the prime suspects.
IrelandNorth | Dec 07, 2011, 07:35 AM EST
Culprits should be found, decapitated and have their heads stuffed by taxidermists. Shouldn't be difficult, since they'd probably find a conspicuous lack of grey matter in the heads of these cretins. Seems some people infract laws just because they are prohibited. Wise up guys!
seagreen | Dec 06, 2011, 04:27 PM EST
Hunting is one thing, and is sometimes necessary to ensure the survival of a herd. hacking the head off an animal secretly is a different matter. it indicates a disregard for any living thing. Whoever did this lives amongst you, that is cause for concern
sirpeter | Dec 06, 2011, 01:16 PM EST
Red deer are a protected game species NOT AN ENDANGERED SPECIES they may only be hunted with a licence from the National Parks and Wild Life Service.Red stags may be hunted from the 1st of September until the 31st of December (no season in Kerry for stags) and Hinds may be hunted from the Ist of November to the 28th of February 28th.Hunting of Red Stags is strictly prohibited in Kerry.The unlawful killing of a protected game species is bad enough.But the misinformation drives me mad.
brondell | Dec 06, 2011, 11:49 AM EST
On second thought: will Enda Kenny blame this atrocity on the Pope?
biggles008 | Dec 06, 2011, 11:39 AM EST
The reason for most crime is ," No Real Punishment"
brondell | Dec 06, 2011, 11:20 AM EST
Will Sinead O'Connor blame this on the Catholic Church?
Towngate | Dec 06, 2011, 11:11 AM EST
A GARDA SPOKESMAN said: "Weeeve got our feelers oud on dis case and de wurd is dat the 'Big Beardy Fella in da red sute' was havin' a bit av Enjin truble an' sind to Kerry far a few spare parts!"
SeamusMor | Dec 06, 2011, 10:56 AM EST
It should be illegal to possess red deer heads as trophies, in addition to sanctions for killing the endangered species.
irelandmusic | Dec 06, 2011, 10:54 AM EST
These people need to do some jail time perfect if they could be caught before christmas some one knows who did this to these beautiful creatures SPEAK UP.
ConnieCobe | Dec 06, 2011, 10:43 AM EST
An endangered species? I think when caught they should not only be fined heavily, but imprisoned as well. How many Red Deer are known to be in existance I wonder?
sunspotter5 | Dec 06, 2011, 09:12 AM EST
Tis the War on Christmas personified.
AliceBernadette | Dec 06, 2011, 08:21 AM EST
I hope the culprits are found and punished with a hefty fine. People like this are just a waste of space. Thank God the decent people far outnumber these creeps. I hate animal cruelty. So many animals are becoming endangered every day. Get them where it hurts their pockets.
cuculin | Dec 06, 2011, 08:17 AM EST
Being from Killarney this sickens me. Growing up with those majestic animals roaming free around the parks of Killarney was a site to see. Playing Golf and just watching them 20-30 feet from you at times is an awesome site. Killarney is a small town and people talk. These guys got greedy and will be caught.