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The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is investigating the shooting of a buzzard which took place at 7.50am on Saturday 5 December.
The buzzard was on a tree on the roadside when it was killed with a shotgun. The firearm was discharged from the road on the south of the village and a vehicle was used in the act.
The NPWS is seeking any information relating to the incident which took place on the R422, south of Emo, Co Laois.
Illegal act
The investigating wildlife ranger said: ‘’The shot was heard and the dead buzzard was found by a member of the public. A spent shotgun cartridge was also found.
“We are interested in information relating to a vehicle that was recorded in the area on CCTV. It is believed that individuals may have been driving around looking for buzzards perched on the roadside and then shooting them from a vehicle.”
The NPWS is liaising with Coillte, as the landowners, and An Garda Síochána in Portlaoise for offences under a range of legislation including the Firearms Acts and the Road Traffic Acts.
The public is being asked to report any vehicles or persons acting suspiciously last Saturday morning in the Emo area.
Anyone with information on the matter is asked to contact the regional manager Ciara O'Mahony through NPWS regional office at 076-100 02667 or at ciara.omahony@chg.gov.ie.
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