Second Asian hornet nest discovered in Cork as first is ‘safely removed’

A second Asian Hornet nest has been located in the Cobh area of Cork, it has been confirmed.

"The NPWS has been working continuously since the first sighting was recorded at the start of August, along with experts from the NBDC, NMI and with local beekeepers to locate a nest," a statement from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage said.

The first nest was located in a private garden on the southside of the city, and safely removed yesterday.

"Further sightings of the Asian Hornet in the Cork area were simultaneously investigated leading to the discovery of a second nest in Cobh on the evening of September 5. This nest is significantly smaller than the first nest, and is located roughly 10km from the first site.

"The nest will be removed following the same protocol developed for the first removal, and will be brought to the national museum for further testing and analysis."

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) completed the “safe control and removal” of the first nest from a site on Cork’s southside yesterday.

The Asian hornet nest was the first recorded in Ireland. It posed a risk to native pollinators as well as commercial beehives in the area.

Sightings of the invasive species caused significant concern about potential impacts to the local area, and fears of the hornet spreading further into the country.

Minister of state for nature, heritage and biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan, said that since the first confirmed sighting of an Asian hornet in the Cork city area just over a month ago, “the NPWS has been working tirelessly with experts from the NBDC [National Biodiversity Data Centre], NMI [National Museum of Ireland], and with local beekeepers to locate a nest”.

“Removing the nest today was a challenging, complex operation, conducted by NPWS officers for the first time in Ireland,” said Mr O’Sullivan.

The nest was removed under strictly controlled conditions, following international best practice.

NPWS director of EU and international affairs Áinle Ní Bhríain said: “The nest has now been transferred to the National Museum of Ireland for examination, as this is the first example of an Asian hornet nest in Ireland.

“Studying it will provide insights about its origins.”

Members of the public are asked to report any sightings of Asian hornets, along with a photograph, to the NBDC at https://invasives.ie/