Dozens of dead birds from the sky raise fears of a new disease

Dead gannets have been found on beaches and ports across Ireland, expert calling for 'urgent action' amid 'terrible' situation that represents a real threat to biosecurity

A dead bird found on Warren Beach, West Cork (

Image: Alamy Live News.)

There are horrifying scenes across Ireland as dozens of birds fell dead from the sky.

Dead gannets have been found on beaches and harbors across the country, and worried members of the public are sounding the alarm.

The bizarre findings have raised fears of a new strain of bird flu, reports the Irish Mirror.

Huge colonies of diving birds were recently wiped out in the UK due to influenza, with experts fearing the problem has now spread to Ireland.

Birdwatch Ireland's Niall Hatch said he had received "hundreds of calls" about gannet deaths and called for "urgent action" from the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) before the ducks, foxes and domestic fowl are destroyed.

Experts call for urgent action (

Picture:

Live news from Alamy.)

He said, "Biosecurity is now a big concern.

"I personally found four dead gannets near my house and one on the N11 yesterday.

"Birdwatch Ireland have received hundreds of calls about dead gannets and it's really sad.

"We are awaiting clarification on what to do and how to handle the situation and advice is not coming quickly enough from the National Parks and Wildlife Service or the Department of Agriculture.

“The Northern Gannets are amazing birds and the reason they are most affected is that the nesting season is not over for them yet.

"W...