Many years ago an eagle was captured in Co. Meath by a gamekeeper who surprised it lying asleep after feeding on a dead sheep. He approached the bird noiselessly with the intention of capturing it alive. He clasped his arms around the bird's body. The eagle soon awoke but was unable to use its wings so it clutched the man's body with its talons, one of which entered his chest, the claws meeting underneath. Taking out his knife he cut the bird's throat, but was still unable to remove the talon so he severed the leg from the body. He had to go to the village dispensary to have it removed.