An investigation has been launched following a fire at a special area of conservation in Co Cork

Finbarr Harrington told a recent meeting of Cork County Council’s West Cork Municipal District that he had received many calls from motorists all over west Cork who had near misses and accidents involving deer on the roads.

It was alleged that Daniel Finn, a farmer in his 70s, had deliberately cleared trees and shrub-land and other habitats in Co Cork

The breeding season usually starts in late March or early April, finishing in July or August

The appeal came after gardaí were alerted to an incident at a rural location near Croagh village