The Court Case Of The Missing Cockatoo

Herr Schroeder

t was back on July 13th 2024 that umbrella cockatoo Herr Schroeder went missing from Kilmacanogue’s Copsewood Aviaries.

And almost two years later, the bird’s owners, Nadija Daum and David O’Duffy, were in court this week, seeking damages.

These damages were listed as not exceeding €15,000, with Judge David Kennedy ultimately offering the couple €2,000 in damages along with costs, which was accepted.

According to a report by the fearless Darragh McCann in today’s Irish Independent, an open offer by Copsewood’s Eddie Drew of €2,000, or a replacement bird, had been rejected by Daum and O’Duffy, who had placed three birds in the aviary back in 2024 as they worked on building their own in Killorglin, Co Kerry.

When the bird – who speaks German – was reported missing, the couple offered a €5,000 reward for the safe return of Herr Schroeder, the search becoming national news with reporters from Newstalk and BBC as well as major publications covering the story.

The couple also hired a private detective from Nenagh, Co Tipperary to help in the search, an individual, the court heard, who was well-known in bird circles.

Eddie Drew

They stated that Mr Drew had been recommended to them, given that he had almost 30 years experience in working with birds, and that Copsewood was in good condition and that they had “no issue with the facilities“.

During the court proceedings, Mr Drew was spotted by Sergeant Mick Canavan recording the hearing and was subsequently placed in a cell, being later fined €500 by Judge Kennedy whilst also being held in contempt of court.

The court also heard that the bird’s owners spent seven or eight days searching the area around the aviary and beyond, walking through fields calling the bird’s name “as he wouldn’t fly away”.

Mr O’Duffy explained that Ms Daum was “too upset to testify“, given that they had owned the bird for 15 years, and that they had rehomed many animals – including dogs, donkeys and parrots – over the years, the animals acting as the children they never had. Judge Kennedy asked if Ms Daum had gone to counselling to “talk about her feelings“.

In awarding the claimants €2,000 in damages along with costs, Judge Kennedy also granted a certificate for counsel.