Several hundred dead calves were discovered on a farm in County Limerick Ireland following complaints about foul smells at the end of August.

The farm has since had over 100 live calves seized as an investigation into animal welfare is underway. The calves, which are mainly dairy bred Friesians and Jersey bulls, were removed last week by the authorities. The conditions of these live animals was not clear, but it is understood some of them needed to be euthanised.

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The Gardaí (police) have confirmed they are working with the Department of Agriculture as part of an investigation into the deaths of a large number of bull calves. Farming sources have said investigators will have to consider that a 'virus' may have been partly or wholly responsible for the animals dying in Co Limerick. Reports on the total number of calves found on the farm ranges from 100 to 400 according to different sources, with no official number being given by the Department for Agriculture.

The Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: "This goes to the heart of Ireland's sustainability as a food-producing country and to our reputation in terms of animal welfare. It's extremely important that we get to the bottom of this particular issue."