No fowl play as swan taken into custody

Gardaí had an unusual situation in Dublin on St Valentine’s night when they were called out to sort out an awkward bird.

The Clondalkin cops received a report that a large bird was wandering on the busy Naas Road near Newlands Cross. They promptly responded to rescue the stricken swan and prevent a pile-up on the carriageway.

They contacted voluntary wildlife group, Galway Claddagh Swan Rescue, for advice on how best to catch the creature and bring it to safety.

Secretary of the group, Mary Joyce-Glynn praised the heroic efforts of the Clondalkin officers. She quipped that the wild swan had been “arrested for his own safety”.

“It was a wet night and the swan probably mistook the road for a waterway such as a river or a canal. It’s a common thing that happens to swans,” Ms Joyce-Glynn said.

“He just landed in the wrong place but luckily he was uninjured. Thankfully somebody reported it to the gardaí. They were wonderful in how they dealt with the situation,” she added.

She said the responders were advised to corner the bird, throw a soft covering over it, and prevent its super-strong wings from moving. They were also urged to support its long neck during lifting.

The officers threw one of their high-vis overcoats over the feathered friend. For its swan song, the mute suspect was placed in the boot of the patrol car.

The arresting officers determined there was no fowl play.

They proceeded to drive the creature to a nearby canal where he was released to swim another day.

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