A man has been hospitalised following an incident with a cow in Co. Clare this morning, Thursday, July 25, a spokesperson for the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has confirmed.

The incident occurred at Ennis Mart, Co. Clare, at approximately 10:15am this morning.

In a brief statement, the spokesperson said: “The HSA can confirm that the matter has been reported to the authority and that it is looking into it.”

It is understood that the cow was being unloaded at the mart broke loose from the pen and escaped in the direction of Quin Road.

A man believed to be working in the area tried to stop the cow at the gate of the mart only to be knocked to the ground by the animal, according to the radio station.

It is understood that the man was taken to University Hospital Limerick, and is being treated for minor head injuries.

The cow was apparently later rounded up at the back of the Dunnes Stores car-park in the town by a number of people.

It is also reported that the cow caused minor damage to a vehicle during his escape, colliding with a van prior to being rounded up.