Herd owner ordered shooting of 65 deer in Sligo after complaints

Gardaí are not carrying out an investigation into an overnight deer cull in which some 65 animals were killed on the orders of the herd owner near Tubbercurry, Co Sligo.

While a number of neighbours are understood to have made complaints to the local wildlife ranger about the cull, Garda sources indicated yesterday that there would be no criminal investigation.

The animals were shot on Monday morning by two local men using legally-held weapons who have a licence to cull.

The owner of the deer refused to comment yesterday, but it is understood that he decided to order the cull after receiving several complaints in recent days about deer breaking through fences on to neighbouring farms.

While many neighbours were uneasy about the operation in which some 65 deer were shot on Monday between midnight and 3 a.m, a number of others said there could have been tragic consequences if action was not taken.

One small deer struck a car in recent days after it escaped on to the public road.

At least one other "near miss" was reported, and there were fears that the deer could have made their way on to the busy N17 Galway/Sligo road which runs about 300 yards from the owner's farm at Carrentubber outside Tubbercurry.

There was speculation locally that the deer started to break through fences about a week before the cull after being frightened by shots fired in the area by hunters.

They had been contained behind 10ft fences, but several deer escaped into neighbouring farms. Because of the difficulty of herding deer, who cannot be driven like cattle, it is understood that several animals were shot on adjoining farms because of the difficulty of getting them home.

It was unclear yesterday why the cull was carried out at night, although it is understood that deer are drawn to lights used by hunters in the dark.

A wildlife ranger was called to the scene of the shootings early on Monday morning, and it is understood that the wildlife service will carry out an investigation.

Some locals expressed concern that the deer may not have died immediately, but neighbours said the shooting was carried out by experts who are licensed.

It is understood that the herd owner has been rearing deer for over seven years, but had been inundated with complaints for about a week before he took his action.