Friday 30 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 14935Shooting of a white-tailed eagle · Co. Westmeath

Rare white-tailed eagle shot dead in Westmeath

A young female white-tailed eagle, part of the NPWS White-Tailed Eagle Reintroduction Programme with Norway, was fatally shot beside Lough Owel near Mullingar, Co Westmeath. Satellite tags indicate the eagle died on 6 December, and the shooting date is not confirmed in the reports. No suspect has been named or arrested. On 15 January 2025, Minister of State Malcolm Noonan described the shooting as a deplorable act and appealed for information, and the NPWS investigation, led by the Wildlife Crime Directorate with Garda support, is ongoing.

  1. Reported15 Jan
    2 reports
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A young female white-tailed eagle was fatally shot in Co Westmeath.
Where
The shooting happened beside Lough Owel, near Mullingar.
When
  • Satellite tags indicate the eagle died on 6 December.
  • The reports, published from 15 January 2025, describe the shooting as recent, and no incident date is recorded.
Cause
The eagle died from a shooting.
Weapon
No weapon is identified in the reports.
Other details
  • The eagle was part of the NPWS White-Tailed Eagle Reintroduction Programme in partnership with Norway and was released in the Shannon Estuary in 2022.
  • Minister of State Malcolm Noonan described the shooting as a deplorable act and appealed for information.
  • The eagle had settled in north Kerry and along the western seaboard before travelling to Westmeath.
Investigation
The NPWS is investigating, led by the Wildlife Crime Directorate, with Garda support.
Charges
No suspect has been named, arrested or charged in the reports.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA white-tailed eagle was fatally shot in Co Westmeath. (rte.ie)
  • whatA rare white-tailed eagle was shot dead. (extra.ie)
  • whereThe shooting happened beside Lough Owel, near Mullingar. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe eagle was shot dead in Westmeath. (extra.ie)
  • whenSatellite tags indicate the eagle died on 6 December. (rte.ie)
  • causeThe eagle died from a shooting. (rte.ie)
  • investigationThe NPWS is investigating, led by the Wildlife Crime Directorate, with Garda support. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe young female eagle was part of the NPWS White-Tailed Eagle Reintroduction Programme in partnership with Norway. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe article describes the shooting as a deplorable act. (extra.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 16 Jan2025
    Reportedextra.ie, first report
    ‘Deplorable act’ — Rare white-tailed eagle shot dead in Westmeath

    Only the headline is usable; the article body is missing from the supplied text. The headline describes the shooting as a 'deplorable act'. No date, suspect or investigation details are given.

  2. 15 Jan2025
    Reportedrte.ie, first report
    Shooting of eagle 'deplorable act', says minister

    Adds the minister's response, the investigation led by the Wildlife Crime Directorate with Garda support, and details of the eagle from the reintroduction programme. No suspect is named.