ILLEGAL ABBATOIR: LINK PROBE TO CROSS-BORDER RUSTLING?

By PATSY McARDLE

POLICE on both sides of the Border were probing a possible link early this week which the discovery of an illegal abattoir in the North, near the South Armagh border, might have with a recent wave of cattle rustling in Northern Ireland and the Republic.

Several cattle were snatched from herds in recent months and were never recovered, including some 21 cattle belonging to Cllr. John O’Brien, which were taken from premises near Latton .

The PSNI confirmed a suspected illegal slaughter- house and meat cutting plant was uncovered in South Armagh.

The UK’s Food Standards Agency said meat was produced at the site in the Newry and Mourne area without official hygiene checks. The agency said it was working with the police and other authorities to find out where the meat was sold.

Following the discovery of suspected illegal animal slaughter and meat cutting operations Maria Jennings, Director of the Food Standards’ Agency in Northern Ireland said. “The FSA is working …