Gardaí are investigating the circumstances of a traffic accident in which a number of cattle were put down after the trailer they were travelling in overturned.

The incident happened on the outskirts of Mountmellick, in Laois Wednesday morning, 4 October.

It is understood that the cattle truck left the road and crashed through post and rail fencing into a field adjacent to the road.

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The trailer detached from the truck and a number of cattle fell or were thrown from the trailer.

A vet was called to the scene to humanely put the cattle down and the animals were removed by a local fallen animal collection service.

There were no injuries to the driver of the truck.

The accident happened close to The Rock National School in Mountmellick.

Additional reporting by Lynda Kiernan of the Leinster Express.

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