Falcons Shot in Tipperary

Three Peregrine falcons nesting in south Tipperary have been deliberately shot according to Birdwatch Ireland.

Two of the birds died while another is unlikely to be returned to the wild due to the extent of its injuries.

A nesting pair appear to have been shot in seperate incidents at a church ruin while an adult male was found with a gunshot wound to a wing at another nest site nearby.

Both pairs had recently fledged young which were still dependent on the adult birds for food. The young birds have not been seen in the area since the incidents

The attacks, which occurred over the last few weeks, have been strongly condemned by Birdwatch Ireland.

The incidents are being investigated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Gardai.