One of the first Irish-bred white-tailed eagles has been found shot dead in Co. Tipperary.

The young male was reared by a pair of eagles at a nest on Lough Derg in Co. Clare.

The Department of Arts and Heritage confirmed that the eagle was shot down with up to 50 shotgun pellets, and survived for a number of weeks before dying.

A spokesperson for the eagle reintroduction programme said it was shocking that one of the first two Irish-bred eagles has been shot only 7 months after leaving the nest.

Gardai are investigating.