Demand for answers after 51 cattle shot in DAERA operation in Tyrone
Answers are being sought after 51 cattle were shot during a Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) operation near Fivemiletown in Co Tyrone.
Sinn Féin councillor, Eugene McConnell, told Agriland that local people were "very distressed" about how the operation had been carried out.
According to Cllr. McConnell the method in which the cattle were culled was "horrifying".
He said one minute cattle, including a number of calves, "looked healthy, were racing around the field, enjoying the great weather and then they were being shot".
DAERA has confirmed that an operation was conducted "on June 29, 2026 at a farm near Fivemiletown, Co. Tyrone, to execute a Court Deprivation Order on a herd belonging to a disqualified keeper, in respect of animal welfare offences".
But according to Cllr. McConnell "there are lots of questions that are being asked now about how this was allowed to happen in this way".
"It was done in public, people were watching this all happen, watching the live gun fire and seeing a bull, calves, young heifers and cows being shot in front of them.
"I was shocked then see so many dead animals all lying in close proximity to each other and because it was such a hot day there were also concerns then about how these animals would be removed.
"There were also three animals who escaped into a neighbouring field and one of those was shot and wounded in the neck, that was a young calf who lost a lot of blood.
"It really was horrifying," the Sinn Féin Councillor for Clogher Valley in Tyrone said.
DAERA
According to DAERA the operation in Tyrone had been "planned in advance and the methodology selected was considered the most appropriate in the circumstances".
The department said this had taken account "of animal welfare, staff and public safety, and the views of relevant operational teams, including engagement with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).
"As with any large and sensitive operation, officials responded dynamically to issues arising on the day and will complete a lessons learned review to identify any improvements for future operations," the department stated.
However both Cllr. McConnell and the Sinn Féin spokesperson for agriculture in Northern Ireland, West Tyrone MLA Declan McAleer, believe that there are questions to be answered by DAERA in relation to the operation.
The Sinn Féin spokesperson for agriculture said he has written to the North's Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Andrew Muir, "seeking clarification on the circumstances surrounding the operation".
"I have asked the minister to clarify the circumstances that led to the cattle being shot, the procedures that were followed, whether alternative options were considered, and what steps were taken to minimise distress to the public.
''I have also sought assurance that any lessons arising from this incident will be fully considered in future operations," the MLA added.
