Detectives in Dublin have questioned a circus owner about allegations that a wallaby died after being plied with ecstasy and drink at a birthday disco.

The marsupial was let loose among more than 150 revellers dancing at the Clarion Hotel in Liffey Valley, west Dublin, to the theme tune of Australian television show Skippy The Bush Kangaroo.

Outraged animal welfare campaigners sparked an official garda investigation when they passed on complaints about the alleged mistreatment of the animal.

Alexander Scholl, owner of Australian Super Circus Sydney, 500 metres away from the hotel, told officers on Tuesday he had two wallabies - Skippy and Sydney - but dismissed claims either was used in the incident.

"They think it was one of my wallabies but it definitely was not. I would never lend them out to a nightclub with all the noisy music," he said.