More hill lambs have been killed by the lone dog roaming commonage on Slieve Anieran, Co Leitrim, bringing the number killed to 50. The animal, believed to be a beagle, has evaded organised searches by sheep farmers, unhappy at the toll on their 2015 lamb crop.

They have been helped by local gun clubs and experienced hunters. Local construction magnate Pat Gallagher, from near Aughnasheelin and owner of thriving Gallagher Group in the UK, gave the use of his helicopter.

All efforts have failed – there is forestry and cover on the mountain.

The dog has been regularly spotted at distance by farmers up checking their sheep. If it is a beagle, it might have got separated from its pack during last winter’s season and then gone wild. More likely it was part of pack brought on this spring by poachers. Either way, it’s smart enough to hide when pursued.

Local county councillor Paddy O’Rourke (FF) says it’s time that State bodies got involved – perhaps the Air Corps.

“I have asked a number of agencies if they can help. €3,000 worth of lambs have been killed – that’s a significant loss for small farmers.”