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By Elaine Keogh

Illegal firework sales have been blasted after claims that kids killed a cat and a kitten by throwing fireworks at them.

The savage attack on the animals, involving some primary school kids, was carried out last week in a housing estate in Drogheda, Co Louth.

The remains of the kitten were still visible on a green in the estate this weekend.

One local mother, who did not want to be named in case of retaliation, said, “The fireworks are being bought by children who know where to go. It was one of those, a black cat firework, that killed those cats.”

She said that her own children had been given five black cat fireworks but she had seen them and confiscated them.

She added: “The kids on the street will tell you that you can a pack of 10 black cats for €3 and two packs for €5.

"There is a family pack which has black cats, a screamer and a rocket in it for €15. It is disgraceful that adults are selling them to children when they should know how dangerous they are.”

The mum also revealed children are playing a highly dangerous game called ‘I dare you’ where they light a black cat firework and put it into their trouser pocket.

“There are boys on crutches because they have been injured with this. It is everywhere and not just where I live in Drogheda. The kids on the street will tell you how cheap the fireworks are and how easy they are to get.”

This woman revealed that it was a group of children who killed the cat and kitten. She did not see it but her friend did and told her what happened.

“They were aged between 8 and 12 and threw a black cat at the kitten when it wandered out onto the green. The firework exploded and killed the cat and when the mother cat came looking for it they threw one at her and she died too.”

She said the youngsters know the Gardai cannot prosecute them because of their age and, “they just hide the fireworks when the see the Garda cars driving around the estates.

"I don’t think the Gardai or customs know that the people selling the fireworks have had them since August. They get them in Newry in August and they don’t always come home on the motorway.”

Despite the cruelty involved the ISPCA Inspector in Louth, Fiona Squib said: “I have seen worse.

“I have seen the charred remains of cats on bonfires in Dundalk.

"What I have seen after 12 years in this job would turn your stomach and yet I never cease to be amazed at what people will do to animals."

A spokesman for Drogheda Gardai said: “Even possessing a single firework is illegal unless you have a licence. They are dangerous and if you hold one you are holding an explosive device. I have to ask would these people hold a grenade in their hand? Both will injure you.”

He said that Gardai are targeting the supply of fireworks and warned that they are taking action and “anybody convicted of having fireworks faces a fine of up to €10,000 and if they are found guilty of selling or supplying them then can be fined €10,000 and face up to five years in jail.”

The Mayor of Drogheda Richie Culhane said: “Just like drugs, fireworks are difficult to police without the help of the public. Anyone in a local authority house found to be selling fireworks risks losing that house.”

He condemned the killing of the cats and said: “This is a bad reflection on society that someone would carry out such a heinous crime on defenceless animals.”