The recent fatal shooting of a white-tailed eagle in Co Westmeath has been described as a "deplorable act" by Minister of State Malcolm Noonan.
The minister said he was "devastated" to hear about the death of such a rare and endangered species.
He appealed for information on the shooting which happened beside Lough Owel, near Mullingar.
"White Tailed Eagles are magnificent creatures; their presence are such good indicators of the health of our ecosystems and countryside and now part of our wider efforts to restore nature," Mr Noonan said.
"It is an absolute deplorable act to kill such a rare and endangered species," he added.
The young female eagle was part of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) White-Tailed Eagle Reintroduction Programme in partnership with Norway.
After being released in the Shannon Estuary in 2022, she had settled into the Irish landscape, spending time in north Kerry and along the western seaboard before travelling to Armagh, Fermanagh, Cavan and other counties, as well as visiting Lough Ree in the north midlands.
Lately, the eagle had returned to Co Westmeath where she moved between local lakes - Lough Owel, Lough Derravaragh and Lough Ennell.
Satellite tags fitted by the NPWS indicate that she died on 6 December, the day before Storm Darragh, in the Ballynafid/ Portnashangan area at Lough Owel.
Minister Noonan said the NPWS is investigating the attack, led by the Wildlife Crime Directorate, with the support of An Garda Síochána.
