According to the garda press office, gardaí in the Clare - Tipperary Division, in cooperation with National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) and the County Clare Dog Warden Service, are carrying out an operation protecting wildlife and livestock, targeting illegal hunting.

Garda checkpoints will be conducted across Co. Clare, in collaboration with the aforementioned organisations, to target incidents of illegal hunting in the area.

Entry onto lands for the purpose of hunting a wild animal, without the permission of the owner or the person entitled to the sporting rights to the property, is prohibited under the Wildlife Act 1976.Gardaí have also expressed that it is a criminal offence to bring a dog suspected of being capable of hunting fauna, onto private lands without the same explicit permission, as such activities may result in the disturbance and worrying of livestock residing there.

Speaking about the operation, a spokesperson from NPWS stated: "The issue of illegal hunting is a wildlife crime which can result in the suffering and cruel death to animals and threatens local populations of protected wildlife.

"This activity is also highly disruptive to landowners and local communities. NPWS is committed to working with An Garda Síochána and all stakeholders in combating and prosecuting this illegal activity.”

Gardaí have requested that suspicious activity of this nature should be reported to the local garda station of the garda confidential line immediately.

It has also advised witnesses to refrain from approaching individuals engaged in such acts, but instead to note down the location, vehicle registration, number of people involved, as well as any additional information that may assist officers with their official inquiries.

It is believed this initiative comes on foot of a recent incident in Kerry, in which a farmer in Clonkeen alerted authorities after he discovered a man, unbeknownst to him, cutting the throats of one of his ewes.

The suspect is alleged to have killed two sheep, both of which were pregnant with twins at the time of their deaths, after he illegally entered the sheep's holding where he subsequently committed the atrocities.

Gardaí in Killarney have confirmed they have launched an investigation into the incident.