Veterinary inspectors found 18 dead cattle and more on the verge of death at a Co Galway farm this month, a court heard yesterday. Loughrea District Court was told the farmer had no fodder for his 100 cattle. Charles Ryan of Cuscarrick, Loughrea, pleaded guilty to ill-treating cattle and having carcasses on his land.
Galway County Veterinary Officer Mrs Rita Gately said she found dead cattle in drains that fed into the lake that supplied water to Loughrea town.
Mr Jarlath McInerney, solicitor for Ryan, said the Department of Agriculture owed Mr Ryan £6,000 in headage payments from 1997.
Judge James O'Sullivan adjourned the case to May 12th, and sought a probation report on Ryan.