ESB Networks has confirmed they are investigating an incident where an overhead power cable fell and electrocuted 8 cattle in Co Clare.
While the incident occurred last Friday, the circumstances were only confirmed by the company late on Tuesday.
It’s understood that the cattle died after an overhead power line fell on a field near Calluragh South near Lahinch. Its understood that the cattle belonged to three different farmers.
The alarm was raised at around 4.00pm when the ESB was contacted by a local farmer. The incident also resulted in a power outage in the area that affected around 1,000 customers.
A spokesman for ESB Networks confirmed: “A fault occurred at approximately 4pm on Friday afternoon in Ennistymon which resulted in a single overhead conductor coming in contact with and causing the loss of 8 cattle.”
“This incident also resulted in the loss of electricity supply to 1,000 customers in the surrounding area. Repair crews from ESB Networks were immediately dispatched and, after initial inspection, they began carrying out repair works. They also contacted the affected landowners,” the company said.
“The electricity supply to the majority of the 1,000 customers was restored after approximately 30 minutes but some customers, in the immediate area of the fault, would have been without supply for longer while repair works continued to be carried out.
ESB Networks regrets the inconvenience to the customers affected by this outage,” the spokesman added.
The company confirmed: “The incident is under investigation by ESB Networks.”
One farmer (who didn’t want to be named) said: “I lost two cows but no one was hurt and that’s what really matters. The ESB responded very quickly and we’re very happy with that. It’s just one of those things and these things happen. It looks like the cable may have been damaged in a storm and just gave way.”
While thought to be a rare occurrence, in 2011, a Cork farmer was awarded €3,100 and costs after two of his cattle died after being electrocuted by a fallen live ESB line.