Fingal County Council said 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.
“It had been killed overnight by intruders who had broken into the park. The matter is currently being investigated by An Garda Síochána and the National Parks and Wildlife Service. 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,” a spokesperson said.
The incident occurred on the grounds of Newbridge House in Donabate and a worker discovered the gruesome sight upon heading down to feed the herd of 16 deer and the stag.
The Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Tom O’Leary, condemned the killing. He said: “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. I am appealing to anybody with information to contact the Gardaí or the National Parks and Wildlife Service. It is illegal to kill deer without a licence and I hope that the perpetrators can be brought to justice.”
The stag killed on Wednesday in Donabate. Photo: Fingal County Council.
Today’s News in 90 Seconds – Thursday, November 27
“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,” foreman of works at the site, Ivan Smith, told RTÉ News.
“The head was missing and the body was dismembered and cut in half, so we assume it was shot, as you wouldn’t be able to catch the stag.
“The fence to the enclosure, the wire was cut and the body looked to be dragged through the wire and dismembered in the ditch,” he said.
“We’re shocked. We’ve had this herd of deer for over 20 years, and nothing like this has ever happened. He was a nice stag, a big prize-looking animal and they all had a great relationship.
“The farmers would be close to the animals and it’s not what you expect to see when you come into work. It was a huge shock. It’s a huge loss,” Mr Smith added.
Mr Smith said he had no doubt that the animal was killed and beheaded for its head to be displayed as a trophy.
“People take them to mount and they can go for big money. But this is totally new to us and we are worried now going forward for the other 15 deer.
“He was in control of the herd, they will notice and it will take them a while to settle,” he said.