The operation to clear 33 dead pilot whales from the beach on Rutland Island has been completed. The whales were taken from the island by ferry this morning, and have now been brought to a facility in County Cavan for incineration.

A week ago, the council planned to bury the whales on the island, but local concerns led to the incineration option being favoured.

The owner of Arranmore Fast Ferry, Seamus Boyle, who originally found the dead whales, said this morning’s operation, whch took three hours, went very well……….