The NPWS and the Minister of State for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Malcolm Noonan are appealing to the public for information. The two-year old female eagle was part of the NPWS White-tailed Eagle Reintroduction Programme. She was released in 2022 on the Shannon Estuary. Investigating officers have established that the bird was shot, but, are awaiting further results of forensic analysis that may provide additional information.
The NPWS says it deplores the deliberate killing of rare and endangered species, and takes bird of prey persecutions extremely seriously. It is appealing for any information the public may have in relation to the incident.
As part of the reintroduction programme, the eagle chicks are fitted with satellite tags to monitor their movement. Information from the satellite tag for the dead eagle indicates that she died sometime on Friday, December 6, the day before Storm Darragh, in the Ballynafid/ Portnashangan area at Lough Owel.
Satellite information shows that she was present in the area over the previous couple of weeks having travelled widely across the country since her release in 2022. In early 2023, she left north Kerry, and spent time at various locations along the western seaboard. She also travelled to Donegal and spent a lot of time making trips over and back to north Antrim, Fermanagh, Cavan and other counties, including visiting Lough Ree in the north midlands. Lately she had come back to Westmeath where she moved between local lakes, Lough Owel, Lough Derravaragh and Lough Ennell.
Minister Noonan said he was ‘devastated’ to hear of the recent shooting of the eagle. “Eagles are magnificent creatures; their presence are such good indicators of the health of our ecosystems and countryside and now part of our wider efforts to restore nature. It is an absolute deplorable act to kill such a rare and endangered species.
“White tailed eagles are treasured by local communities and visitors to Ireland alike and any loss resonates throughout. I appeal to the public to come forward with any information that they may have in relation to this incident. I am assured that the NPWS is undertaking a thorough investigation led by the Wildlife Crime Directorate with the support of An Garda Siochána.” Members of the public can contact the NPWS by emailing