Another animal from the Silvermines area of Co Tipperary has tested positive for lead poisoning.
Toxic levels of lead have been found in the bloodstream of a one-year-old bullock calf. Just over two years ago, a spate of cattle deaths hit the area, many of which were attributed to lead poisoning.
The animal is part of a herd belonging to a local farmer, living and farming on lands in the vicinity of the highly toxic tailings pond facility at Gortmore, Silvermines.
Mr Jim Bradley from the regional veterinary laboratory in Limerick confirmed the results revealed an "elevated level of lead" in its bloodstream. "I can confirm we tested an animal from a farm close to the tailings pond area five miles from Silvermines. It came in to us with all the symptoms of lead poisoning and tests revealed an elevated level of lead in its blood," Mr Bradley said.
A recent dust blowing in the area sparked serious health concerns in the local community.
A Department of Agriculture spokesman and member of the inter-agency group established to monitor levels of lead in the area, Mr Aidan Murray, said he had been informed about the test results but could not confirm if the tailings pond was directly responsible.
"At this stage I cannot say where the source of the lead came from. The bullock may have ingested it from a local steam or he may have strayed into an area with excessive levels of lead in the soil or it may be as a result of dust blow in the area," he said.
Mr Murray said there had been a considerable decrease in the numbers of cattle being presented to the regional veterinary laboratory in Limerick with symptoms of lead poisoning.
"Of late there have not been many reports of lead poisoning in the area. It may be that the farmers in the area are now aware of the high-risk areas where an elevated level of lead is present.
"Unfortunately we have the odd case turning up but there isn't evidence of a large-scale problem," he said.
However, he said that remedial action for the area has to flow from the findings of the inter-agency group. Local farmers believe their families' health is suffering.