Gardai in Blessington are investigating the death of 5 ewes and 12 lambs that were bludgeoned to death close to the village of Hollywood.
The animals were struck in the head with what was described as a heavy blunt instrument.
The dead ewes were left where they died but the lambs were taken from the field and dumped in a number of gardens in the area.
Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have information to the incident which took place 10 days ago to call Blessington Garda station at (045) 865 202
