Supreme Court rules farmer is entitled to €299k damages against Dept over cattle seizure

The judge, Mr Justice Donal O'Donnell, noted the costs of the seven-day case 'may outweigh the damages' of the farmer's case against the Department of Agriculture.

By Ann O'Loughlin

A farmer is entitled to €299,000 damages, plus interest, over the Department of Agriculture's failure to return 223 of 355 cattle seized from his farm following a dispute about their welfare, the Supreme Court has ruled.