Independent probe ordered into unexplained animal ailments on Irish farm

The Oireachtas Agriculture Committee last year compiled a report into the matter, which said the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Agriculture, and the CRH group (the successor to the company that operated the Ormonde Brick Factory), all “took the position that the issues had been satisfactorily investigated by an Inter-Agency Group, including the EPA, which had reported in 2010”.

The 2010 group said it had “not found evidence to indicate that environmental pollution caused ill thrift and poor growth rates in animals on the farm” and had suggested that the problems in the herd were “multifactorial in source and that common infectious diseases were likely to have been responsible”. 

The agriculture committee, however, heard “extensive criticism of the methods and practices used by the investigating bodies, during the hearing on the 30th November 2022”.

A committee report said that it “does not consider that the issues have been satisfactorily investigated to date” and recommended a commission of investigation be established.

That report was discussed in the Dáil on Thursday, with Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue saying that an independent review will be carried out.

I acknowledge the stress experienced by Mr Brennan and his family due to the health issues in his herd, which undoubtedly have been very difficult. 

“In recognition of that and of the work and request of the committee, I will now move to seek an independent review of the department’s investigation into this and of the reports that fed into it, to report back to me,” he said.

Sinn Féin’s Matt Carthy told the Dáil the Brennan family ran a successful farm that was considered “to be top-notch by anyone who ever saw it” before the establishment of the brick factory.

“Then problems began to emerge at the same time as activities taking place in a nearby factory. 

“Animals got sick. Milk yield was dramatically reduced. Biodiversity was destroyed. Plant life was wiped out. As the output of the adjoining factory intensified, the problems got worse and more intense. 

“When the Brennan family complained and raised issues and concerns, they were told to varying degrees that either it was their fault, in one instance, or that the problems pertained to disease and not pollution,” he said.