Gardaí are investigating reports that a five-metre steel cross at the top of Ireland's highest mountain has been cut down in an apparent act of vandalism.

The iconic cross was erected on the summit of Carrauntoohil in 1976.

A group of climbers are said to have discovered the cross this afternoon where it had fallen on the ground.

It seems to have been cut with an angle-grinder, about a foot up from the base.

A member of the gardaí is en route to the scene.