More Northern sheep went into Kepak later

The Garda investigation into delivery of sheep from Northern Ireland to the Kepak processing plant in Athleague, Co Roscommon, has confirmed that livestock from the North were accepted at the factory on February 23rd - three days after the original controversial consignment of 248 animals.

The delivery was accepted two days after the ban on such importation was imposed by the Department of Agriculture.

However, it is understood that this second consignment of sheep may have been taken over the Border before the ban came into effect on midnight, February 21st. Supt Padraig Rattigan of Roscommon Garda Station said that it would appear the ban was not breached during delivery.

The development came to light during inquiries into the delivery of 248 sheep brought from Britain via Northern Ireland at the plant on February 20th - the day that foot-and-mouth disease was confirmed in the north of England.

Supt Rattigan said efforts were being made to trace the route of this separate consignment, believed to be have been bought in the North, but to date no connection had been made with Britain or with the infected farm at Meigh, in Co Armagh.

Kepak staff and the haulier involved have co-operated with the inquiry. The company said earlier this week it was "genuinely not aware" of the importation of sheep from Northern Ireland after the ban came into effect. It was unavailable for further comment yesterday.