Gardai have arrested a man and seized a number of birds in Tipperary Town as part of a multi-agency operation into illegal cock fighting activity.

According to An Garda Síochána Tipperary, a premises was searched and a number of fighting roosters were discovered in "appalling conditions" last evening (April 1).

"One bird was deceased with another one in an extremely unwell condition," the gardai said.

All birds were seized and handed over to the care of the National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA).

According to the gardai, the NSPCA will carry out an assessment on the roosters to determine an appropriate course of action in relation to the animal's welfare.

The multi-agency operation involved community gardaí, a vet from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and officers from the NSPCA and the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

According to the gardaí, one male was arrested for alleged offences contrary to the Animals Welfare and Health 2013 and has been detained at Tipperary Town Garda Station.

"The male has been charged with a number of offences, including animal cruelty," gardai said.

An Garda Síochána Tipperary added that its operation into illegal cockfighting will continue in the area of Tipperary Town.

Cock fighting site

Earlier this week, the Tipperary multi-agency operation recovered a large number of bird cages and a "vast array" of controlled medication, steroids and imported illegal substances at the site of an alleged cock fighting.

No animals were seized at the premises in Tipperary Town.

The premises where cock fights were alleged to have taken place was searched as part of an ongoing investigation into suspected animal welfare incidents in the town.

Gardaí confirmed on social media that a large number of bird cages were recovered at the residence, along with controlled medication, steroids, antibiotics and imported illegal substances.

The items were seized and subject to forensic and technical analysis.

Cock fighting is a blood sport in which roosters are made to fight one another. This practice of this sport is illegal in Ireland.