After 19 long years, experts have finally discovered what has been causing the sickness in the farm animals of Dan Brennan, Dromgoole, Castlecomer.

A report leaked to the Kilkenny People has revealed that blood samples taken from livestock there have shown worryingly high levels of cadmium, a heavy metal, which is commonly found in industrial workplaces, particularly where ore is being processed or smelted.

The study portrays Mr Brennan as an excellent farmer and vindicates his belief all along that the cause of the problems of ill thrift, stunted growth and poor milk yields in his animals was something over which he had no control and was caused by an outside agency.

The cattle on his farm were also found to have high levels of fluoride in their systems and experts believe that this also contributed to livestock health problems at the Brennan farm.

Like cadmium, fluoride does not occur naturally at these levels and serious questions are now being asked about how these substances got into the food chain and from where they originated.

The Kilkenny People has not been able to ascertain if the report due to be published at the end of April points the finger at any party, but it is understood that a number of civil legal actions could begin as a direct result of the investigation, which has been ongoing for over two years.

Deputy Mary White TD, who has long campaigned on behalf of Mr Brennan, said that if the information was verified, it amounted to a shocking and devastating discovery with consequences not only for Mr Brennan's farm, but for the health of the people of Castlecomer and its vicinity as well.

"This has huge implications for animal health and the public health and if this information is borne out, we need to ascertain if the local community has been exposed to high levels of cadmium," she said.
The Green Party deputy leader was at pains to point out that she had not seen the report and added that her immediate concerns were for the Brennan family, who had struggled for the last 19 years before finally getting to the bottom of the problem.

For full report, see this week's Kilkenny People.