Our biodiversity is under enough pressure from human activity without such deliberate criminal acts as poisoning and illegal shooting. That's why we are establishing a Wildlife Crime Unit within the NPWS.
A recent study recorded a total of 338 incidents affecting birds of prey since 2007; the most serious of which was the poisoning of 23 buzzards in a single incident in west Cork earlier this year. I am most grateful to officials in my department, State lab, regional and veterinary labs and An Garda Síochána for their work in investigating these incidents over the past 13 years.
READ MORE: https://www.housing.gov.ie/heritage/national-parks-and-wildlife/npws-publishes-review-incidents-impacting-birds-prey-2007-2019