Gardaí investigating "unusual" case in Birr

Gardaí are investigating an incident in Birr where a number of sheep were stolen and a pet lamb killed.

Two ewes and three lambs went missing overnight on Saturday into Sunday morning, from a farm at Ballyegan near Birr.

It's believed a pet lamb was also discovered at the farm with its throat cut.

Liam Egan, owner of the sheep, called the act "inhuman" while describing the distrubance to Midlands 103.

"I saw the blood and the wool on the fence I knew there was something maybe more manmade. I could see where the wire had been damaged where people had climbed in and out over it, and obviously lifted the carcasses of the dead sheep over it....it was at this point then that I found the pet lamb, he was just a tiny little fellow, there was no need to do anything to him, but I found him there with his throat cut... Those are the kind of people your're dealing with here, it's inhuman really."

A garda spokesperson based at Birr Garda Station called the incident "extremely unusual" and appealed to anyone with information to contact them on (057) 916 9710.