Sir, – I doubt it is a coincidence that Ireland's lambing season coincided with the killing of an Irish-bred white-tailed eagle, which was found riddled with gunshot pellets (Home News, March 5th). These magnificent birds are principally scavengers and usually feed on carrion, birds, fish and small mammals – rarely, if ever, are they known to prey on lambs. If I am wrong in my assumption about this coincidence, then this action amounts to a wanton act.
It is a dastardly deed which has deprived our island of one of only a handful of these majestic creatures that once soared in numbers along our shorelines and lakes. – Yours, etc,
JOHN BELLEW,
Paughanstown,
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Dunleer,
Co Louth.