Gardaí are carrying out a full investigation into an incident where an EU-banned pesticide poisoned and killed more than 40 ducks on a wildlife sanctuary on the shores of Lough Corrib.

And local parents, who regularly visit the duck sanctuary in the Headford area, are breathing a sigh of relief that the deadly poison didn’t have even greater consequences by affecting their children.

Post mortem examinations on the ducks revealed that they had consumed the deadly Carbofuran – a pesticide that is banned across the European Union and Canada.

The incident occurred in a sanctuary that was established in Annaghkeen, Headford, more than three years ago, and was the home to around 60 mallards.

In fact the sanctuary has become something of a focal point in the area with children and the elderly regularly visiting the lands and feeding the ducks.

But the situation turned sinister when the deadly poison was laid on the ground and resulted in 42 ducks being killed.

See full story in this week's Connacht Tribune.