Horror as Defence Forces shoot cattle due to TB fears

Farming groups and TDs have reacted with horror at the decision sanctioning the army to shoot five cattle on a Monaghan farm that was the subject of repossession proceedings.

The Department of Agriculture said there were positive TB tests in the herd and the Defence Forces carried out the “humane destruction” of the five animals due to a “significant concern for public safety”.

According to the official assignee from the Insolvency Service, Chris Lehane, the heifers had to be shot at John Hoey’s farm at Carrickmacross when they couldn’t be captured by his staff. The farm is involved in bankruptcy proceedings.