CATTLE growth promoters were bad enough. But a new agricultural menace has reared its head with the news that gardai in Cork area investigating an incident in which a herd of cows was found dabbling with mind-expanding drugs.
The cows were peacefully munching a £35,000 stash of cannabis resin on a farm near Macroom when their owner, an unnamed farmer, discovered what was afoot last Wednesday.
"We're not sure if we should have the cows in for questioning, but you can say we are following a definite line of inquiry," a senior Garda officer told The Irish Times.
Apparently the cannabis stash, was concealed in a ditch when the cows discovered it. The farmer, suspected something strange was going on when he went to round up the animals. He quickly discovered that chewing the cud had taken on a new meaning.
The herd was none the worse for the experience and was back on a more familiar diet of green grass, yesterday.
Last night a spokeswoman at the John Hyde veterinary practice in Cork said it was unlikely eating cannabis would have affected the cows.
She added: "Cows' stomachs are different from ours and the likelihood is that bacteria would have attacked the cannabis resin before it could have caused any particular effect."
Gardai said that the cannabis, which was well wrapped, had been hidden for collection later.
The stash, which is small when compared with recent drugs finds in the Cork area, is believed to have been intended for local consumption or for resale in Cork city.
Once he had removed the source of their glee, the farmer contacted gardai in Macroom, who in turn, alerted the drugs squad in Cork.
In Macroom, the more serious side of the investigation was progressing yesterday, and gardai, were pursuing definite leads in the search for the person or persons who dropped off the drugs. "We, think we know who we're looking for," a spokesman said.
Following the alert, Garda sniffer dogs were brought in, but no more than the original five-kilogram haul was discovered.
Last month cannabis plants were found growing in the Cuil Aodha gaeltacht near Ballyvourney, not far from Macroom.
The remains of the latest haul have been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory in Dublin for, examination.