Unconscionable to kill eagles or any species

Dear Editor,

It is truly tragic that a rare white-tailed eagle has become the latest victim of shooting in Ireland.

From flying majestically across the sky to being reduced to a lifeless lump on the ground, this poor bird had the misfortune of ending up in a country where gunning down threatened creatures is not uncommon.

Minister of State for Nature, Malcolm Noonan, expressed his devastation at the illegal killing of the eagle and declared: "to think that one would be shot is unconscionable."

This same Minister allows the recreational shooting of other red-list birds of highest conservation concern, namely Snipe (whose breeding and wintering populations are now in severe decline), Golden Plover, Shoveler, Red Grouse and Woodcock.

And he and his department have disregarded appeals to fully protect the Irish Hare - a declining icon of the countryside.

They grant licences for cruel coursing, which involves netting thousands of hares and forcing them to run for their lives from dogs.

During a 22-week period between September and February, gunmen are also free to blast hares to death and hunters may release packs of hounds to chase them, catch them and rip them apart.

In a deepening biodiversity crisis, it should be considered unconscionable to kill any species.

The open season must be permanently closed and a dedicated animal crime unit established to hunt down those destroying our wildlife heritage.

Philip Kiernan

Irish Council Against Blood Sports PO Box 88, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, Ireland