Gardaí probe ritual sacrifice of dog in remote woods

GARDAÍ and animal welfare officers are investigating the ritual sacrifice of a dog in an apparent cult killing at woods used for school tours.

The border collie was found with its head smashed and throat cut, laid out on a large altar made of cement and stones and surrounded by a circle of stones, some of which were carved with crosses.

Hikers made the grisly finding in a remote part of Knocksink Woods in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow, which are home to the National Environmental Education Centre and are popular with school trips.