Thousands of dead star fish have washed up on Lissadell beach in Co. Sligo.

The Department of the Environment, Heritage and local Government confirmed that between 20 and 50,000 of the fish were washed up.

The huge number of adult star fish are estimated to measure between 3 and 8 inches in diameters.

The Department said that investigations are continuing into the circumstances surrounding the events but at this initial stage it’s believed that it’s as a result of a a storm or freak wave