Gardaí have launched an investigation into an incident of “animal cruelty” that occurred on a farm in Clonkeen, Co. Kerry, on Sunday, January 5, resulting in the death of a sheep.
According to a spokesperson for An Garda Síochána, the incident occurred at approximately 3:30p.m on the farm, but declined to comment on the exact nature of the sheep’s death, explaining that the “investigation is ongoing”.
Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) Kerry chair, Jason Fleming, told Agriland that the farmer who owns the sheep had contacted him and claimed, he had caught the suspect “red handed” in the act.
Fleming said that the farmer was “very upset” over what he had described as the “horrific” circumstances of the incident.
Fleming explained that the farmer in question told him that he was feeding his sheep early Sunday morning when he noticed traces of blood on the gate of the holding and decided to investigate matters further.
He added: “He had another journey to make so he said he was going to call again on his way home and when he returned, there was a car parked at the entrance of the field.
“He pulled in and found an individual, a man, standing over a dead sheep with a knife. I know this is a bit graphic, but the neck of the sheep was slit. So then he asked the man what he was doing, and the man said he owned the sheep.
“Believe it or not, you might laugh at this, but then he asked the farmer to help load the sheep into the boot.
“To make a long story short, there was a second sheep discovered missing from the flock who was found yesterday [January 8], wrapped in a cloth, dead as well. The worst thing about this was that both sheep were scanned three weeks ago and were found to be in lamb with twins.”
Death of sheep
Fleming believes the suspect committed the crime with the view of taking the sheep for “human consumption”.
Gardaí in Killarney have been alerted to the incident and according to Fleming, are following a definite line of inquiry.
Fleming told Agriland that the investigating officers have also been very “supportive” in their dealings with the farmer and Kerry IFA, and have advised farmers in the area “to be vigilant” for any further suspicious activity.
Fleming said that Kerry IFA is calling for the suspect to be arrested and subsequently punished to the full extent of the law.
“We started a public awareness campaign down here on behalf of IFA, after there were sheep killed in the north of Knocknagashel in a dog attack a week and a half ago, but it’s gone to another dimension altogether now when you have individuals killing sheep,” he added.
“The bottom line here is this has to be dealt with and stamped out. What we’re calling for is that the full rigours of the law are to be brought down on top of the guy that did this.
“The sooner he’s dealt with, the better, for our farmers in the area and sheep alike,” Fleming concluded.