Gardaí in Enniskerry are investigating the slaying of a sheepdog in what has been described as "a cult-like killing".
Gardaí were called to Knocksink Wood in Enniskerry 10 days ago after walkers found the remains of a Collie sheepdog lying on a cement altar-type structure. A witness said the "altar", located in a remote part of the wood, was surrounded by three circles of stones, sawdust and mulch, and appeared to be used in a satanic sacrificing ceremony.
The dog's throat had been slit and it had also been badly beaten with stones, the witness said.
Its body was found approximately 1½km (one mile) from the entrance to the wood, which is a popular spot for experienced hill-walkers.
A local Garda spokesman said they were doing their utmost to track down those responsible and were treating the crime "along the lines of satanic worshipping".
He said the vet had confirmed that the dog had died from head injuries inflicted using stones and had not bled to death as had been originally thought.
"Disturbingly, this crime appears to have been planned well in advance of the incident taking place," he said.
"The investigation is ongoing but we don't believe that this was a prank carried out by youngsters. We know from locals who walk in the wood that this altar was under construction for the past year."
He said the site first contained a large stone circle, then the stones started to pile up and, most recently, cement was added.
"Someone obviously went to a lot of trouble to construct this structure," he said. "It would have taken quite a few people to transport bags of cement to the area to construct this elaborate altar."
The dog is believed to have been slaughtered on August 13th or 14th, three or four days before it was discovered by the walkers.
Since the discovery, gardaí have stepped up their presence around the wood.
The concrete part of the altar has since been dismantled by the National Parks and Wildlife Services but the circle of stones remains untouched.
The crime was denounced by the Wicklow branch of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (WSPCA). Fiona Gammell, inspector with the WSPCA, said she was stunned by the killing and had never heard of anything like it. "We are very fearful that this may happen again," she said. She appealed to the public to be vigilant.