Clare farmers have been paid over €2.7 million over the past five years to protect an endangered species of bird.
The money has been paid under a scheme which aims to conserve the hen harrier, which is covered by Special Protected Areas, including in the Slieve Aughty mountains.
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Nationwide, the Sunday Independent reports that over €10 million has been paid out under the scheme in the past five years, but the scheme has not had the desired effect.
A recent survey has found that Ireland's hen harrier population has declined by a third since the turn of the century.
