Police shoot bull after farmer gored to death

Police have killed a bull on a Co Tyrone farm on Saturday, April 23, after it gored a farmer to death.

By Chris McCullough

Police have killed a bull on a Co Tyrone farm after it gored a farmer to death.

The farmer, who was attacked last Saturday, has been named as Nigel Murray and is said to be a bachelor in his early 50s.

The Health and Safety Executive in Northern Ireland confirmed it is investigating the incident.

A spokeswoman for HSENI said: “HSENI can confirm it is investigating the death of a farmer in an incident involving a bull on Saturday, April 23 at a farm in the Aughnacloy area, Co Tyrone.

“Our thoughts are with the family involved at this most difficult time.”

Safety alert: HSENI warning farmers to take extreme care when working with bulls: https://t.co/n638sgZn5H. @UFUHQ @YFCUpresident

— HSENI (@Hsenigov) April 25, 2016

A PSNI spokesman added: "A man has died following an incident involving a bull in a field.

“Police attended and after consultation with the vet and members of the family police shot the bull as it posed a risk.

“The office of the Police Ombudsman has been informed of the incident.”

A spokeswoman for the Ulster Farmers Union said: “The Ulster Farmers Union regrets all farm deaths and know the impact they have on farm families.

“Regardless of circumstances they are a reminder of the risks the industry has committed itself to tackle.

“Animals are one of the four key risks identified by the Farm Safety Partnership.

“This underlines why they rank with slurry, falls and machinery as a risk.”