Snipers earn €17k to kill 118 deer in Phoenix Park, including fawns only months old

Deer that die from natural causes, road traffic accidents or are 'humanely dispatched' in the Phoenix Park are now placed in a blue bin for collection by animal rendering contractors. File photo: Brian Lawless/PA

The Office of Public Works (OPW) has paid snipers more than €17,000 to kill 118 deer in the Phoenix Park since the beginning of last year – some of which were fawns less than one year old.

Each of the 118 carcasses was subsequently sold to a meat wholesaler for prices ranging from €11 to €82 per deer, depending on its condition and weight.