A farmer neglected and starved cattle, leading to the death of 47 animals, Cork District Court heard yesterday.
Finbarr O'Reilly (35), of New Grove, Whitechurch, Co Cork, pleaded guilty to six charges, including two breaches of the BSE regulations, two counts of cruelty to animals and two counts of failing to dispose of carcasses.
O'Reilly told the court the situation at his farm in Whitechurch spiralled out of control and he could no longer handle the day-to-day running of the property. He found it difficult to cope with new tagging regulations introduced two years ago. He suffers from dyslexia.
Garda John O'Neill said when he visited O'Reilly's farm on June 18th of this year, he noticed a "a strange odour". He went into to a shed and found 47 cattle dead.
Sentencing has been adjourned until April 23rd. O'Reilly was remanded on continuing bail.