Fowl play feared in disappearing geese mystery

A COLONY of wild and farmyard duck in Co Limerick is under threat after their minders were stolen.

Four geese, who kept the ducks together and frightened off marauding dogs, are believed to have been stolen in recent weeks.

And anglers in Newcastle West, who run the duck sanctuary, fear the geese ended up being cooked over Christmas.

The sanctuary is on the banks of the River Arra near the town centre.

Moss Devine, chairman of the Newcastle West branch of the Deel Anglers, said they had spent €300 last year in building up duck stocks.

Mr Devine said: “We got the four geese from a farmer. They were great to keep the ducks together and they helped frighten off dogs. The dogs are still a big problem and many ducks have fled the sanctuary down river to more isolated areas.

“The duck have been a familiar sight on the River Arra for over 20 years. But due to people leaving dogs loose on the river bank, the number of ducks has dropped dramatically.”

He said courting couples were also causing trouble for the ducks.

Mr Sheehan said: “Courting couples have been frightening off the ducks late at night.”

The four farmyard geese were introduced to the sanctuary about six months ago and their presence kept duck numbers up.

But during the weeks leading up to Christmas the geese disappeared. The last one went missing two weeks before Christmas.

Mr Devine said: “Members of the angling club walked the bank for miles and miles without a trace.”

They searched farms along the river but without success.

One angler said yesterday: “To have it done four times is just too much.”