Gardaí have broken up a suspected illegal ‘cock fighting’ event in County Monaghan.

Officers saw a “large number of people” fleeing the event at a private residence in Emyvale when they arrived at around 11am on Saturday morning.

During a search of the residence, Gardaí found 15 dead roosters alongside evidence of suspected cock fighting.

A further 70 live roosters were also found and handed over to Department of Agriculture personnel.

An investigation into the event is now underway at Monaghan Garda Station, with officers continuing to work with the Department of Agriculture on the matter.

Cock fighting is a bloodsport that involves placing two cocks in a pit and forcing them to fight each other, often to the death.

It has been illegal in Ireland for almost 200 years.

Anyone with any information on the alleged event in Emyvale is asked to contact Gardaí.