Gardaí in Galway are investigating the apparent dismemberment of one of the swans from the Claddagh - home to the State's largest flock of the birds at the mouth of the Corrib.
The swan's remains were discovered by a walker on the shoreside in the area known as "the Swamp", close to the Claddagh, late last week. The carcase and entrails were located near a group of tents which were pitched without authorisation on local authority land.
The finding was reported to the Garda and to Galway and Claddagh Swan Rescue and several of its volunteers identified a trail of blood from the tent back to the Claddagh slipway. The 200 swans in the flock are very tame and congregate at the slipway to be fed and admired by the public, including young children.
Gardaí subsequently visited the campsite and it is understood that one man was questioned. The man subsequently said that he had found a dead swan and had decided to cook it and eat it.
Suzanne Divilly of Galway and Claddagh Swan Rescue said the dead bird was a cob or male bird, who would have had a partner. "This was horrific, as these birds are protected under the Wildlife Act," she said. "The Claddagh swans are so tame and trusting that all someone had to do was to put out their hand - which makes it even worse."
Ms Divilly said it was the worst incident the voluntary organisation had come across in some time. However, she said that the body of a swan wrapped in muslin was dug up by an animal - probably a fox or dog - in Rusheen Bay between Salthill and Barna two years ago. The organisation had also received reports of angling boats taking birds on Lough Corrib.
Galway city councillor Donal Lyons (Progressive Democrats) described the incident as a "new low" and said he hoped that the "full rigour of the law" would be applied to the culprit. Galway City Council said that camping was not authorised at the Swamp area, but the matter of bird protection would be one for the Garda.