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Gardaí are investigating the mysterious killing of a cow in Co Meath

The cow was found strangled on a family farm on Monday.

Warning: This article contains graphic imagery of a deceased animal.

GARDAÍ ARE INVESTIGATING the strange circumstances in which a cow was killed at a family farm in Stamullen, Co Meath.

On Monday, the 14-year-old cow was noticed missing from the herd which was grazing on private land, Kevin Forde of That’sFarming reported.

The cow was later found hanging from a tree by a rope.

“She was a suckler cow in a secluded wooded area. My father heard the calf calling and went to look for the cow where he found her”, one member of the Kennedy family told That’sFarming.

She was tied with a new blue piece of rope in a noose around her neck and she was tied up to the tree.

9218-deadcow That'sFarming That'sFarming

The farm is located in a secluded, remote area, which makes the act especially strange – the family wondered if the person had done it for meat.

“We are in shock at such a deliberate act that happened. You wouldn’t mind if the cow died of natural causes, but the fact that it was a deliberate, savage attack is horrific really”, the Kennedy family said.

The Department of Agriculture and An Garda Síochána said they’re aware of the alleged incident.

Gardaí are currently investigating the incident “to establish the facts in this case”.

Read: Bullock with serious injuries left unaided and alone at Mayo cattle mart for 10 hours

Read: Farmer sues receiver and ‘vulture fund’ who have threatened to sell his stock

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    Mute Kim
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    Sep 4th 2012, 8:22 AM

    RIP little one. How heartbreaking. The poor little mite. Thoughts go out to his poor parents & that they find the strength to cope some how.

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    Mute Tom O Laithimh
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    Sep 4th 2012, 8:16 AM

    Such a sad story, if the HSE had concerns in the past why did they not act sooner? Such a waste of a life and the HSE have a lot to answer for

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    Mute Micheal
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    Sep 4th 2012, 8:38 AM

    Without knowing the specifics of this case, it sounds like the boy may have died in his sleep, (IE: cardiac issues). Can we please hold the HSE bashing until after p/m results are released?
    RIP Little Man, RIP.

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    Mute Resel
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    Sep 4th 2012, 9:45 AM

    Ya Tom. Serious assertions there based on what exactly?

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    Mute McNamees On TheGreen
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    Sep 4th 2012, 11:41 AM

    Blaming James o Reilly is pathetic. Using this tragedy as a little political football is disgusting. The family, regardless of circumstance deserve more.

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    Mute Fon Ellard
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    Sep 4th 2012, 10:27 AM

    Only going on hearsay but it looks like there may be mental health problems involved and if so then I’m not surprised that the HSE’s systems have failed, we’ve seen it happen time and again. Such a tragedy.

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    Mute Goldie Locks
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    Sep 4th 2012, 11:25 AM

    Hearsay is a dangerous thing Fon. Imagine it were untrue? Heaping more pain on this family at a time of immense tragedy. Necessary???

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    Mute Tom O Laithimh
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    Sep 4th 2012, 10:04 AM

    Comments based on press release from the HSE stating they are familiar with the family as they have been monitoring them ….. Obviously not week enough I think

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    Mute Micheal
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    Sep 4th 2012, 10:23 AM

    It’s a standard procedure in the case of infant death outside of a hospital setting.

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    Mute Mick Lennon
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    Sep 4th 2012, 10:41 AM

    of course it’s ultimately his job,he takes the huge salary and benefits to run the health service,if theres failings collectively or individually within the hse it ultimately falls in his lap in my opinion,he’s as bad as Harney and she was dreadful

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    Mute Lauren Halligan
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    Sep 4th 2012, 10:25 AM

    Terrible thing to happen. Hope the family get the support they need. x

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    Mute Tom O Laithimh
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    Sep 4th 2012, 10:04 AM

    Comments based on press release from the HSE stating they are familiar with the family as they have been monitoring them ….. Obviously not week enough I think

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    Mute Eoin Meany
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    Sep 4th 2012, 12:21 PM

    I don’t know the specifics of this tragic incident and face it, neither does anyone else commenting on this page. Reading between the lines, yes mental health issues may well have been a factor. However, we don’t know what the HSE involvement with the family was before the death of the child and what other factors were at play.

    It may well be the case that there was a failure of HSE systems or it could be the case that the standard of care was high and it was an unpreventable tragic outcome.

    To suggest otherwise is unfair on all those concerned.

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    Mute Margaret Doyle Hanley
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    Sep 4th 2012, 12:02 PM

    I think all managers should be responsible for employees in their company, otherwise why have them? If they can’t do the job, there’s plenty out there that can.

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    Mute Mick Lennon
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    Sep 4th 2012, 10:27 AM

    tragic,the poor little lad,if the hse are found to be at fault then James Reilly has blood on his hands

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    Mute Fon Ellard
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    Sep 4th 2012, 10:35 AM

    Really? Is James Reilly supposed to be personally monitoring EVERY employee in the HSE to see they do their jobs right? I’m no fan of his but you can’t seriously expect him to be held responsible for everything that goes on.

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    Mute Barry Basstard
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    Sep 4th 2012, 1:20 PM

    I read that he died of asphyxiation.

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    Mute Andrea Rock Massey
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    Sep 4th 2012, 1:02 PM

    Front page of some newspaper this morning said the police are treating the death as suspicious. It always makes it so much more horrendous and heartbreaking. God love his little soul x

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