Warning: Readers may find some of the below images distressing.

MEMBERS OF THE public have been asked to stay away from a dead whale that has washed ashore at Killiney beach in Dublin.

A crew from Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has cordoned off the area and is currently assessing the situation.

#dlrcc is aware of deceased 13m minke whale at #Killiney beach. Public asked to avoid location until further notice. pic.twitter.com/9Bvw6kQQhS
— Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (@dlrcc) August 19, 2016

dlrcc / Twitter

The whale was spotted floating off the coast near Shankill and Greystones yesterday and earlier today.

Dún Laoghaire Coast Guard said it believes the whale is female.

In a statement, the group said it is “concerned for the safety of spectators as, with the large spring tides at the moment, it is forcing members of the public well up on the rocks, causing injuries”.

Public advised to stay away from dead whale beached at Killiney

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Source: Ryan Bailey/TheJournal.ie
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Pat Ó Súilleabháin, the general manager of the National Sea Life Centre in Bray, told TheJournal.ie the public should stay away as there is a possible risk of infection, noting the whale has been dead for at least 24 hours.

“Some people might want to go and take selfies beside the dead whale but that doesn’t strike me as a particularly good idea,” he said.

Ó Súilleabháin noted that there is a lot of speculation as to how the whale died, but it is often difficult to reach a conclusive answer in situations such as this.

Pádraig Whooley, sightings officer of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG), added that while whale sightings and beachings are relatively common on the west coast, they’re unusual for the east coast.

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