Northern Ireland

Police seize four barn owls during search in Lurgan

Police seized four barn owls in Lurgan amid concerns the birds were being held and sold online.
Police seized four barn owls in Lurgan amid concerns the birds were being held and sold online. Police seized four barn owls in Lurgan amid concerns the birds were being held and sold online.

FOUR barn owls have been seized by police in Co Armagh.

Officers carried out a planned search of a property in Lurgan after receiving a report that the birds were being held and sold online.

Barn Owls are protected for under the Wildlife (NI) Order 1985 and Wildlife and Natural Environment Act (NI) 2011.

To hold a barn owl, an application must be made for a licence from the appropriate authorities including the Northern Ireland Environment Agency.

Police seized four birds in Lurgan due to a suspicion that they were being held and sold without the appropriate licences.

A spokesman said "enquiries are continuing".

The seizure was made on November 21, but details were only released yesterday.