GARDAÍ ARE INVESTIGATING after 15 dead roosters were discovered at a house in Co Monaghan following a suspected cockfighting event. 

Cockfighting is an illegal bloodsport where roosters are placed in a ring to fight until one is seriously injured or killed. It was first outlawed in Ireland in 1835.

At around 11am on Saturday, Gardaí received a report of the event allegedly taking place at a private residence in Emyvale.

A large number of people fled the scene when gardaí arrived.

The assistance of the Department of Agriculture was then sought and a warrant to search the residence under Section 45 of Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 was obtained.

During the course of a search, 15 dead roosters were discovered on the property while a further 70 roosters were seized by a number of Department of Agriculture personnel in attendance.

Evidence of suspected cockfighting was also seized.

Two young birds are lifted out of a purpose built ring after being goaded to fight. (FILE IMAGE) Noteworthy Noteworthy

‘Cruel and hideous’ matches still taking place

Despite being banned almost 200 years ago, the illegal bloodsport has continued to operate underground in Ireland.

In 2013, a cross border cockfighting network was uncovered by the Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (USPCA).

It followed a two year investigation by the animal charity which exposed a series of organised bird fights, including one held in Co Monaghan.

Footage filmed by USPCA investigators at the event showed up to 60 people, some of them children, watching bird fights in a makeshift ring.

In May, the charity’s chief executive Nora Smith warned that the “cruel and hideous” practice continues to take place secretively across the island.

Smith made the comments following revelations by Noteworthy that aggressive chicken breeds were being imported from as far away as Pakistan solely for use in Irish bird fights.

The Noteworthy investigation also revealed how chicks and eggs of battle winning birds were fetching hundreds of euro on the Irish black market. 

An investigation is continuing at Monaghan Garda Station and Gardaí continue to liaise with the Department of Agriculture regarding this matter.

Anyone with any information that can assist Gardaí with this investigation are asked to contact Monaghan Garda Station on 047 77200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.