'Awful incident to witness' - 10 cows killed by freak lightning strike on Irish farm

10 cows have been killed in a freak lightning strike on a farm in Co Cavan.

The incident happened near Butlersbridge in Co Cavan on Friday shortly after a thunderstorm warning issued by Met Éireann had lapsed.

Cavan TD Brendan Smith spoke on Northern Sound radio about the incident and sent condolences to the farmer involved who found the dead animals on his land.

It's understood the heifers were taking shelter under a tree on the farm when lightning struck the ground and killed them instantly. 

He told the station: "It just shows how dangerous storms can be and changing weather patterns. I want to say to the farmer I appreciate the huge loss it is to him and it's a huge shock to hit any farmer.

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"We all know farmers go out and tend to their cattle and their livestock and to their land in such a dedicated and diligent manner.

"So it is a huge loss to any individual and I am very sorry to hear of that particular and major loss on a farm in so many ways."