Gardaí join probe into deaths of 400 calves

It is understood the calves were found in a decomposed state. They appear to have succumbed to suspected disease and malnutrition

It is understood the calves succumbed to suspected disease and malnutrition.

As Gardaí liaise with the Department of Agriculture in a probe into the deaths of a large number of bull calves in Co Limerick, farming sources have said investigators will have to consider whether a “virus” may have been partly or wholly responsible for the deaths.

A large amount of carcasses of dead bull calves were removed from farmland in the Garryspillane area, south east county Limerick, on September 6. The Department of Agriculture has declined to comment on the total number involved with reports ranging from 100-400.

The Department became aware of the matter after a complaint was made about a smell coming from farmland in the Garryspillane area.

The Department said in a statement: “The Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine can confirm that an alleged incident in Limerick has been reported; the matter is subject to an ongoing investigation and no further comment will be made at this time.” 

It is understood the cross-breed Jersey and Friesian bull calves may have died from a variety of issues, including disease and malnutrition.

A farming source said: “It’s a possibility that you can get a bout of virus pneumonia which, like a fire, goes through animals, that can just kill them one after the other and it spreads like that."

The source said the calves found dead on the Limerick farm were cross-bred “where there was a Jersey bull used on a black and white Friesian cow”.

“Whereas your normal beef type cattle, Charolais, Simmental, Hereford, Aberdeen Angus all have also very good beef qualities the Jersey is a boney animal, simple as that, and they don't have a lot of value in terms of beef.”  

Sources said a virus in a young herd can be a “scourge” for a farmer.

“There are a number of viruses — one is called coccidiosis (a parasitic disease) which is a very fast killer, it is curable but it really stumps the animal when it gets into them; the virus pneumonia is literally spread from calf to calf through nose contact; there is a thing called Blackleg which they have to be vaccinated for, and which calves can die from overnight.

There is another thing called Blacks Disease which runs through cattle as well, the best of cattle would die from that, nothing to do with nourishment or anything like that.” 

A Garda spokesman said: “An Garda Síochána are currently liaising with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine” and that the DAFM “are currently the lead agency in this matter”.

A spokeswoman for the Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) said it was made aware “of a situation involving a large number of dead calves on August 29...and has offered its assistance to DAFM if required."

Limerick City and County Council said it was also aware of “an incident”.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: “This goes to the heart of Ireland’s sustainability as a food-producing country and to our reputation in terms of animal welfare. It’s extremely important that we get to the bottom of this particular issue.”