GARDAÍ ARE INVESTIGATING after a stag was beheaded in parklands attached to a popular family tourist attraction in north county Dublin.

A spokesperson said the force was investigating “a reported incident of wildlife crime” in the area in the early hours of this morning.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service has also launched an investigation into the incident, which happened at Newbridge House and Gardens in Donabate.

A herd of 16 Irish red deer, including the stag, have been living in the North Dublin parklands for over 20 years.

Foreman of works at Newbridge House and Traditional Farm Ivan Smith said the stag’s head was removed from the grounds and its dismembered body was left behind.

“The farmers head down and normally feed the deer first thing in the morning. The deer would come over but Vinny the farmer noticed there was no sign of the stag. He walked the perimeter of the enclosure and he noticed the dismembered body in the ditch,” he told RTÉ’s Samantha Libreri.

The worker said staff at Newbridge House are shocked at the discovery and believe the stag was shot by someone who cut through the fence to the wildlife enclosure.

The Mayor of Fingal, councillor Tom O’Leary, condemned the killing.

“I have visited this park area with my granddaughters who really enjoyed meeting the stag and deer.  A wonderful animal to behold close up.

“It’s truly shocking that someone would carry out this act.”

Speaking to The Journal, a spokesperson for Fingal County Council described the attack in its parklands as “premeditated”.

“We believe this was premeditated and we are appealing to anyone who noticed anything in the area to contact gardaí or the National Parks and Wildlife Service.”

They confirmed that the headless body of a stag, that was part of the Irish Red Deer herd at Newbridge Demesne, Donabate, was found this morning by staff when they went to feed the animals.

They said it had been killed overnight by intruders who had broken into the park. 

Red deer are Ireland’s largest native deer species and wild land mammal.

The deer became extinct in Ireland about 10,500 years ago. The only native population is now found in Killarney National Park.

A mature stag has a large rack of antlers which are often taken by hunters as a trophy.

Fingal County Council is appealing to anybody with information about this shocking incident to contact the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or email wildlifeenforcement@npws.gov.ie.