Department of Agriculture officials euthanised cattle on two farms, one in Roscommon and one in Clare, last week in what it described as “enforcement operations”.

Drone footage from the scene of one of the farms captured what appears to be Department officials culling dairy cows with a captive bolt gun in makeshift pens and in a crush.

The footage, now circulating widely on social media, also shows dead animals in a pen with live animals, live animals being killed in the same pen and carcases being winched into a lorry.

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The Department of Agriculture confirmed that it carried out an “enforcement action” on the farm on Thursday with support and assistance from An Garda Síochána.

“The Department does not comment regarding individual cases.

“The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has lead policy responsibility for animal welfare and takes the matter of animal welfare most seriously. Neglect of or causing unnecessary suffering to animals is not acceptable in our society. The Department is committed to the policy that animal welfare standards are vigorously applied in a fair and even-handed manner,” it stated. It confirmed a second enforcement action took place in Clare on Friday.

The Department did not respond when queried what circumstances result in Department officials having to euthanise cattle rather than detaining or seizing them.

The IFA described the videos of the enforcement actions as “unacceptable and shocking”.

Court case

The cattle are owned by Mr Seán Coughlan, of Cum, Laherdane, Ballina, Co Mayo. He runs a dairy farm in Roscommon and one in Clare.

Mr Coughlan is currently involved in a legal case with the Department of Agriculture and is facing 38 charges of animal neglect on the farm in Laragan, Co Roscommon. A further 36 charges before the court concern his company Coughlan Farming Limited. Mr Coughlan denies the charges. He was jailed in March for a breach of his bail conditions and was released on bail by the High Court in April. The case is due to go to trial later this year.

When contacted by the Irish Farmers Journal for a comment, Mr Coughlan responded via text starting: “Lies written by you and others in your organisations has contributed to this situation. I’ll refrain from saying anymore.” Mr Coughlan did not respond when asked how many animals were culled.

Comment

The Irish Farmers Journal categorically refutes the suggestion that it reported any “lies” involving Mr Coughlan. The Irish Farmers Journal reported fairly and accurately on several court hearings in the ongoing legal case between the Department of Agriculture and Mr Coughlan, and his company Coughlan Farming Limited, as is in line with the Press Council of Ireland guidelines and court reporting standards.