Beaufort shooting leaves eighteen sheep dead

THE owner of 18 sheep mysteriously shot in Beaufort just before Christmas, says he is baffled by the incident.

Michael O’connor and his wife Nora said this week that they have no idea who could have made the vicious attack - or why they did it. Eighteen of Michael’s sheep were apparently shot through the head in Beaufort sportsfield although there was no trace of any bullets or cartridges at the scene.

“That’s the amazing thing,” said Michael. “The Gardai combed the corner of the field where the sheep were shot and yet sheep were shot and yet there was no trace of anything. Just as mysterious is the fact that the field has a lot of houses around it, as yet nobody heard anything.”

Michael believes that more than one person was involved, because all the sheep had holes in the neck and skull where the bullets passed through. “I think they must have been held be someone while the other did the shooting, because it would be very difficult for one man to do so.

“Nine of the sheep weren’t actually and I must admit I was very upset when I went to the field and could hear the sheep lying there moaning and groaning, and big holes in their heads. It was a terrible thing to do,” says Michael.

“I could understand if they were looking for mutton for Christmas or something, but for them just to shoot the sheep I cannot understand that. If they were looking for mutton anyway, I think they would have gone to some other fields, because there certainly were better sheep around the place.”

Michael and his wife are sure that nobody did it as an act of vengeance. “We are busy enough raising our six children to be getting involved in rows. We have very nice neighbours, thank God,” said Nora.

The only conclusion they can come to is that it was either done by someone with a lot of drink or else by some sort of lunatic.

Gardai say they are still investigating the incident.