David Alexander Millar, from Castlecatt Road, Ballyhivistock, Ballymone, Co Antrim was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a cow and of transporting the animal when it was not fit for the journey at Coleraine Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

According to Northern Ireland's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, he pleaded guilty to charges and was fined £4,000 (€5,400) plus £19 (€25) costs and £15 (€20) offenders levy.

When Millar presented at an abattoir with the cow, a department of agriculture vet discovered that she had a large painful tumour which had completely destroyed her left eye. The animal collapsed and had to be euthanised immediately to prevent further suffering.

In the vet’s opinion, the tumour had been present for a long time and the animal should have been euthanised earlier on the farm to prevent unnecessary suffering.