A car collided with several loose cattle in the early hours of this morning (Wednesday) on the main Dublin to Limerick motorway, according to An Garda Siochana, forcing the road to be closed.
Approximately 40 cattle were loose on the motorway between Limerick and Dublin (M7). The incident occurred just outside Borris-in-Ossory.
A member of An Garda Siochana in Portlaoise told Agriland that the incident was first reported at 3.30am, with up to 20 cattle being present on both sides of the motorway.
A collision involving the cattle was also reported, which required the presence of the emergency services.
Sergeant Mick Tarpey, from Portlaoise Garda station added that the driver of the car was not seriously injured after the incident.
He added that there has been no details in regards to the possibility of the injured animals.
Members of the Gardai, the fire service and ambulance services were all present and it took approximately four hours to remove the cattle from the motorway.
The AA reported that this main route was closed due to the presence of a large number of cattle on the motor way this morning.
AA Roadwatch’s Sharon Lynskey added that the road was reopened at 7.30am, after a lengthy process to try an remove the animals.