Gardai are investigating after one of only two Irish-bred white-tailed eagles to flee the nest was found shot dead in Co. Tipperary.

The young male was reared by a pair of eagles at a nest on Lough Derg in Co. Clare - as part of the eagle reintroduction scheme. The eagle in question had was part of a clutch that hatched for the first time in 110 years in Ireland.

The programme has already been badly hit by a series of poisonings.

The Department of Arts and Heritage said the eagle was shot down with up to 50 shotgun pellets, but survived for a number of weeks before starving to death.

Minister Jimmy Deenihan said the incident was a 'shocking crime' and is appealing to anyone with information to come forward.

CREDIT: Photos courtesy of Nigel Beers-Smith