Livestock cull resumes in Louth

The mass slaughter of livestock in the foot and mouth-infected area around Proleek, Co Louth, has resumed in the last hour.

The huge cull, aimed at preventing further outbreaks from the Republic's only case of the disease so far, will see thousands of farm animals within the 3km exclusion zone put down.

Meanwhile, an investigation is continuing in counties Laois, Monaghan, Cavan, Kilkenny, Carlow and Donegal in a hunt for possible infected animals.

Gardai are hoping to track down illegally-imported sheep, which it is feared may be carrying the disease.