Latest news with #Loughbrickland
The Independent
10 hours ago
- The Independent
Police investigate after red kite found fatally poisoned in Co Down
Police in Northern Ireland have launched an investigation after a red kite was found fatally poisoned in Co Down. A police spokesperson said tests have confirmed the legally protected bird, which was found dead near Loughbrickland, had been poisoned. It was discovered on land in the Tullymore Road area at the end of December, and has been found to have died by what police believe to have been targeted poisoning using the rodenticide Chloralose and the insecticide Bendiocarb. Red kites previously had vanished entirely from Northern Ireland due to illegal persecution 200 years ago, and were re-introduced in 2008. Mr McDowell said red kites, along with all birds of prey, are protected in Northern Ireland under the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order. He said this case is 'not the first time we have had reports of this nature in this same area'. 'Two ravens were also recently found dead having been poisoned using similar chemicals, and it saddens me that these incredible birds are being intentionally killed,' he said. Those found guilty of persecution of protected birds of prey can face a custodial sentence and/or fines of up to £5,000 per offence. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) along with Northern Ireland Environment Agency has conducted a number of inquiries along with a site visit, and utilised the technical and advisory support of the UK's National Wildlife Crime Unit throughout the time since the discovery of the red kite. Officers have also worked with colleagues in the Health and Safety Executive and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Development to identify poisons being used. Mr McDowell added: 'Our Operation Raptor, Peregrine Watch, is an initiative between the PAW Bird of Prey Sub Group and our Air Support Unit, working alongside local police officers, which uses drones to monitor and protect the nesting sites of birds of prey, and is a direct result of birds being targeted, just like in this case, with very serious and dangerous substances in a number of areas across Northern Ireland. 'Along with our partners we will continue to investigate wildlife crime and seek to prevent further instances, whilst bringing offenders to justice.' A spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs said: 'The intentional poisoning wildlife and birds is abhorrent. 'Supplying, storing (being in possession of) or using a Plant Protection Product (PPP), that has been banned, is an offence. 'It is also an offence to use an authorised PPP in contravention of the conditions and the specific restrictions established by the authorisation and specified on the product label. 'If convicted of committing an offence, fines will incur.' Wildlife crime can be reported by calling 101, or a report can be made online via
BreakingNews.ie
11 hours ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Police investigate after red kite found fatally poisoned in Co Down
Police in Northern Ireland have launched an investigation after a red kite was found fatally poisoned in Co Down. A police spokesperson said tests have confirmed the legally protected bird, which was found dead near Loughbrickland, had been poisoned. Advertisement It was discovered on land in the Tullymore Road area at the end of December, and has been found to have died by what police believe to have been targeted poisoning using the rodenticide Chloralose and the insecticide Bendiocarb. Testing confirms red kites found dead in December were poisoned. Read more: — Police Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon (@PSNIABC) June 25, 2025 Red kites previously had vanished entirely from Northern Ireland due to illegal persecution 200 years ago, and were re-introduced in 2008. Mr McDowell said red kites, along with all birds of prey, are protected in Northern Ireland under the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order. He said this case is 'not the first time we have had reports of this nature in this same area'. Advertisement 'Two ravens were also recently found dead, having been poisoned using similar chemicals, and it saddens me that these incredible birds are being intentionally killed,' he said. Those found guilty of persecution of protected birds of prey can face a custodial sentence and/or fines of up to €5,859 (£5,000) per offence. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), along with Northern Ireland Environment Agency, has conducted a number of inquiries along with a site visit, and utilised the technical and advisory support of the UK's National Wildlife Crime Unit throughout the time since the discovery of the red kite. Officers have also worked with colleagues in the Health and Safety Executive and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Development to identify poisons being used. Advertisement Mr McDowell added: 'Our Operation Raptor, Peregrine Watch, is an initiative between the PAW Bird of Prey Sub Group and our Air Support Unit, working alongside local police officers, which uses drones to monitor and protect the nesting sites of birds of prey, and is a direct result of birds being targeted, just like in this case, with very serious and dangerous substances in a number of areas across Northern Ireland. 'Along with our partners, we will continue to investigate wildlife crime and seek to prevent further instances, whilst bringing offenders to justice.' A spokesperson for the Northern Irish Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs said: 'The intentional poisoning wildlife and birds is abhorrent. 'Supplying, storing (being in possession of) or using a Plant Protection Product (PPP) that has been banned is an offence. Advertisement 'It is also an offence to use an authorised PPP in contravention of the conditions and the specific restrictions established by the authorisation and specified on the product label. 'If convicted of committing an offence, fines will incur.' Wildlife crime can be reported by calling 101, or a report can be made online via
BBC News
12 hours ago
- BBC News
Red kite: Police investigate poisoning of protected bird of prey
The poisoning of a red kite, found dead near Loughbrickland, County Down, is being investigated by bird of prey, which is a legally protected species in Northern Ireland, was discovered on land near Tullymore Road in tests revealed the red kite was killed using a combination of two highly dangerous substances: the rodenticide chloralose and the insecticide bendiocarb, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has said. Supt Johnston McDowell, the PSNI's lead for wildlife crime and animal welfare, described it as a "tragic incident" and has appealed for information. "Red kites, along with all birds of prey, are protected under the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985," Supt McDowell said. "This tragic incident is not isolated and there have been previous reports of similar cases in this same area. "Two ravens were also recently confirmed to have died from poisoning using similar chemicals."The senior police officer urged members of the public to report any suspicious deaths of birds of prey, stressing the extreme danger posed by the chemicals involved - not only to wildlife but also to humans."Anyone finding a dead bird of prey should not touch it but instead alert authorities immediately," Supt McDowell advised. How to identify a red kite? The red kite is a distinctive bird of prey, easily recognised by its reddish-brown body, angular wings with white patches, and long, deeply forked tail. Once nearly extinct in the UK, it has made a strong comeback through reintroduction programmes and is now found across Wales, much of England, parts of Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Red kites were reintroduced to Northern Ireland in 2008 after being extinct here for can often be seen soaring over woodlands, open countryside, and even towns. Banned substances The PSNI, in coordination with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and the UK's National Wildlife Crime Unit, has conducted site visits and inquiries since the poisoned red kite's discovery. The investigation also involves the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera).A spokesperson from HSENI emphasised the legal responsibilities around the storage and use of biocidal products."Where duty-holders are found to have misused or stored banned substances, enforcement action will be taken," they said. A spokesperson for Daera described the deliberate poisoning of wildlife as "abhorrent," and warned of serious legal consequences."The use or possession of banned or misused plant protection products is a criminal offence, punishable by fines and potential custodial sentences," they added. Supt McDowell also highlighted Operation Raptor – Peregrine Watch, which is a PSNI initiative that uses drone technology to monitor and protect nesting birds of prey."This initiative is a direct response to attacks like this one," Supt McDowell said. "Alongside our partners, we are committed to stopping these crimes and bringing perpetrators to justice," he current laws, anyone convicted of harming protected birds of prey can face fines of up to £5,000 per offence and imprisonment.
