A new forensic veterinary pathology service to assist in the investigation of wildlife crime, to be provided at Sligo regional veterinary laboratory (RVL), will be introduced on a phased, case-by-case basis.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has confirmed that its Veterinary Laboratory Service is in "advanced discussions" with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), which is interested in supporting the development of a small-scale specialised forensic veterinary service.

The planned development is part of a revision of a protocol between the NPWS, the department, and the State Laboratory. The protocol is called 'Recording and Addressing Persecution and Threats to Our Raptors' (RAPTOR).

RAPTOR is the basis for collaborative investigation of the cause of mortality in wild birds of prey in Ireland.

Initially, the new service will be resourced by the NPWS in existing facilities provided by the department in Sligo RVL.

The service will function primarily in supporting the investigation of wildlife crime by the NPWS - which the department said has been the primary driver for the development of the service - but will also be made available to the department’s own enforcement officers.

It is also envisaged that the service will be made available to An Garda Síochána, which has occasional requirements for such a service when investigating suspicious animal deaths.

When the service is up and running, it will support the forensic investigation of bird and animal deaths by veterinary pathologists, and the provision of evidence for prosecutions and expert witness testimony required for law enforcement, the department said.

The start date of this new service has not been agreed yet, and it is likely that it will see a phased introduction on a case-by-case basis as the required skills, training and equipment are developed, procured and rolled-out.

The department said that the provision of this service at Sligo RVL will not interfere with the regular farm animal-related activities of the laboratory.

Sligo RVL is one of three RVLs were redevelopment works are planned, although the provision of the new forensic service is not related to this redevelopment.