According to Frank Godfrey, a former Lord Mayor of Drogheda, the birds are causing havoc on the town of Co Louth, and the only practical option to reduce the gull population is probably to use a contraceptive.

The idea for the proposed project was inspired by a comparable practise that gave contraceptive maize pellets to pigeons in Brussels.

In response to complaints from locals and business owners over the quantity of gulls, public meetings were arranged in Drogheda during the summer.

“Seagulls can turn extremely dangerous.” Earlier this year, Mr. Godfrey told The Irish Times, “People are scared. It is a nightmare; they are nesting in council and private estates.”

National and European wildlife guidelines and laws protect the birds, while exceptions may be made.

Balbriggan in North Dublin is the only place in Ireland where seagulls eggs and nests can be removed.