Tests for bird flu on swans found dead in Co Wicklow have proved negative, the Department of Agriculture confirmed today.
In the past 10 days six mute swans and cygnets were found dead in Kilcoole, Co Wicklow.
Three foxes were also found dead at Kilcoole Golf Club. Poisoning is now suspected as three foxes were also found dead in the area.
A Department of Agriculture spokesman told ireland.com: "Everyday birds die that are never reported. In this case the Department considers poison to be the the likely cause of death."
Meanwhile, the Department of the Environment may restrict or ban the hunting and capture of wild birds should the avian flu reach western Europe.
Minister of State Batt O'Keeffe said the department was also considering the closure of nature and wildfowl reserves and national parks.
He told the Dáil that the time and scale of such actions "will depend on ongoing assessment of the level of risk to be addressed", but the State was "on red alert".
The Minister was responding during questions about the Irish response to the avian flu.
