MINISTER JIMMY DEENIHAN says gardaí are still carrying out inquiries into the death of one of the first white-tailed eagles to be successfully bred in Ireland.

The bird was found dead in Tipperary early last month after being shot. The National Parks and Wildlife Service are also investigating.

A post-mortem carried our on the male eagle confirmed it had been hit with around 50 shotgun pellets, but did not die immediately.

The bird had been part of a breeding programme in Clare, and was one of two chicks reared by a pair of eagles on Lough Derg. It had flown the nest in July last year.

“I am sure people were very much aware of the incident in that particular area, but as yet I am not aware of any prosecution,” the Arts and Heritage Minister told the Dáil this week.

“We have had discussions with the Garda on this matter and members of the force are carrying out extensive investigations and inquiries.

“Much depends, however, on the local community coming forward with information because it is impossible for the Garda to monitor everything that happens in rural areas.”

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.

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

Read: White-tailed Eagles make Clare their new nest after 100-year wait