Eight cattle were shot dead on a farm outside Swinford on the Mayo-Sligo border on Wednesday. The action was taken by officials from the Department of Agriculture, assisted by a marksman and gardai. Reports that a soldier did the shooting were denied by the Army.
The animals were the property of J.P. Harran, of Knocks, Killasser, who was sent to Loughan House on Saturday for refusing to pay a court fine. According to Harran's sister, Ms Frances Pasman, "one cow was shot at least five times and left to die in a swamp". A court order to dispose of the cattle was obtained by the Department. The order was appealed but was confirmed by Judge Harvey Kenny at the Circuit Court in Westport. A Department spokesman said it was complying with the order.
Ms Pasman pleaded with officials to retain the tags of the dead cattle so her brother could claim compensation.
"My brother is in jail because he was fined for cruelty. What went on here is a lot more cruel. There was only a need to shoot one animal because it was wild. They shot the rest because they couldn't round them up for the factory. It's brutal what went on."
Forty-eight cattle were removed to a factory, while a digger was used to bury some of the dead cattle. A truck was also used to remove the remaining carcasses. One source said the cattle were shot because the Department officials were unable to get near them.
The Army has denied any involvement while the Garda claims it is a Department of Agriculture matter.
A Department spokesperson confirmed a court order was issued to Harran in May to reduce the number of cattle on his farm to under 40. The second court order was issued on November 10th and the Department was now enforcing that order. The spokesperson confirmed that 48 cattle were removed to the factory and eight shot dead on the farm.