Almost 120 deer culled by marksman in Phoenix Park since the start of 2019

Some 116 deer have been killed by hired marksmen in Phoenix Park since the start of 2019. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire

A total of 116 deer have been killed by a hired marksman in Phoenix Park since the beginning of last year during five culls aimed at controlling herd numbers in the 700-hectare national park.

The Office of Public Works (OPW) paid a deer hunter to kill 74 of the animals over the course of three culls in 2019, while a further 42 deer were shot during two culls in January of this year.