Cork farmer jailed for punching government official who was testing his 'wild' cattle for TB

A neighbour told the court: 'I thought the whole thing was preposterous.'

The court heard that there were repeated problems with Mr Scannell’s cattle breaking into neighbouring farms and getting out onto the public road and that since the incident the herd has been reduced to just one animal. File picture

A Cork farmer who punched a Department of Agriculture official in the face because he didn’t want him on his land has been sent to prison by a district court judge.

Prosecuting, Inspector Anthony Harrington told Macroom District Court that on October 28, 2023, Andrew Scannell, aged 64, of Lackaneen, Lissacreasig, Macroom, Co Cork, struck agricultural officer Jerry Herlihy in the face with a closed fist. Mr Scannell denied the charge of assault causing harm.