A decision will taken on the fate of a herd of cattle on a Co Tipperary farm, including 14 animals believed to have originated in Northern Ireland, after the Department of Agriculture has completed an investigation on their origin.
Initial indications yesterday suggested that only the 14 animals would be slaughtered. "The herd will be kept under observation and the restriction will remain in place until such time as we make a decision," said a Department of Agriculture spokesman.
Restrictions were placed on the farm at Leugh, six miles from Thurles, by the Department following the discovery of up to 14 cattle missing identification tags. The spokesman said: "We are almost sure that the cattle originated in Northern Ireland," the spokesman said. The farm was placed under restriction late on Monday. "There is no disease concern here in relation to the holding," the spokesman said. "The question is about the origin of the animals."
The Department believes the 14 cattle were "moved in before the middle of February, before the ban was imposed [on livestock movement] on February 21st".
Meanwhile, a senior Garda spokesman has confirmed that a farmer from outside Temple more was arrested and taken to Mullingar Garda station last week in connection with investigations into the illegal movement of animals.
He was later released but as many as 100 animals were slaughtered at his farm. This is not thought to be connected to restrictions at Leugh, where gardai continued to operate a 24-hour ban on movement to and from the farm.
A farm on the Leitrim-Fermanagh border at Kilcoo, Kiltyclogher, has also been sealed off and 70 sheep slaughtered. The Department stressed the measures were precautionary.