Five cattle died in a freak accident on a farm in Claremorris after its understood they consumed poisonous sap from felled yew trees. That’s according to the Western People.

The IFA has issued a warning to farmers in the aftermath of what has been described as a freak accident.

The mysterious and sudden deaths of the cattle on the farm in south Mayo resulted in a thorough investigation by experts from the Castlebar Regional Veterinary Office Laboratories because initially there was no explanation for their deaths.

However, post mortem examinations carried out by the veterinary specialists revealed yew poisoning.

A spokesperson for the Dept of Agriculture confirmed that the cattle had got access to yew tree clippings. The needle and seeds of yew trees are highly poisonous to horses, cattle, sheep and goats, the spokesperson explained.

Mayo IFA is now reminding farmers that all plant parts of the yew tree, including dried plants, are highly toxic.

In fact drying can even enhance the potency but it is unusual for the evergreen conifers to be found on farmlands.

They are more common in graveyards.

It’s understood, in the past, the poisonous trees were planted in cemeteries to deter farmers from allowing their cattle to get into sacred grounds.

The Irish for Mayo - Maigh Eo, of course means  - the plain of the yew tree.