Eight cattle have died in Lahinch, Co. Clare after they were electrocuted by a fallen power cable.
ESB Networks confirmed to Pat Flynn of The Clare Herald that they are investigating the incident, which happened last Friday.
It has been reported that the eight cattle died after an overhead power line fell on a field at Calluragh South near Lahinch.
The cattle belonged to three different farmers, according to the paper.
A spokesman for ESB Networks confirmed that a fault occurred at approximately 4pm on Friday afternoon in Ennistymon which resulted in a single overhead conductor coming in contact with and causing the loss of eight cattle.
“Repair crews from ESB Networks were immediately dispatched and, after initial inspection, began carrying out repair works. They also contacted the affected landowners,” ESB Networks said.
According to the ESB, the supply was cut to around 1,000 customers and that power was restored after approximately 30 minutes but some customers, in the immediate area of the fault, would have been without supply for longer while repair works continued to be carried out.
Speaking to Flynn, one farmer who didn’t want to be named said that he lost two cows but no one was hurt and that’s what really matters.
“The ESB responded very quickly and we’re very happy with that. It’s just one of those things and these things happen.
“It looks like the cable may have been damaged in a storm and just gave way,” he said.
Wind warning in place as 120km/h winds to batter west coast
Met Eireann has issued a wind warning for western counties with damaging gusts forecast for Thursday (November 12).
A status orange wind warning has been issued for Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo. Southerly winds, later veering southwest then west, with mean speeds of 55 to 80 km/h, will gust between 100 and 120 km/h. Winds will be strongest near coastal areas, peaking Thursday evening into early Thursday night.
Meanwhile, a status yellow warning has been issued for Munster, Leinster, Cavan, Monaghan and Roscommon.
Southerly winds, later veering southwest then west, with mean speeds of 45 to 55 km/h, will gust between 90 and 100 km/h. Winds will be strongest near coastal areas.
The Met Eireann forecast suggests the strongest of the winds will occur for northwest coastal counties, with some damaging gusts possible.
