Minister Muir moves to implement all recommendations of Fivemiletown Review

Date published: 10 November 2026

The independent review was undertaken by former Irish Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Martin Blake at the request of Minister Muir.

Following the report's publication, Minister Muir said: “The events near Fivemiletown came about as a result of one of the most shocking and sustained cases of animal cruelty that veterinary officials in the Department have ever had to deal with. This resulted in a lifetime disqualification of a keeper and court-ordered deprivation order. 

“Whilst the review finds that the operation was lawful, appropriate and sadly necessary from an animal welfare perspective, it’s clear that operational shortcomings existed and planning gave insufficient consideration to the human and community impact. 

“As Minister I did not authorise or direct the operation. When I then saw the distressing photos and videos of animal carcases and learned of the range of allegations that were circulating, I shared the genuine concerns expressed. 

“That is why I moved quickly to order a full independent external review of the case. I would like to thank Dr Blake for his thorough and professional approach in conducting this review.

“The report’s ten recommendations are accepted in full with regular reporting and independent oversight put in place to ensure improvements are driven and sustained at pace.”

Dr Blake’s report made the following conclusions regarding the operation at Fivemiletown:

• the Department acted lawfully in implementing a valid court order; 
• that staff made significant efforts in the period immediately following the court order to help the keeper dispose of the animals himself;
• that the culling method used was lawful and appropriate from an animal welfare perspective; 
• that the culling of animals individually in their familiar pasture surroundings is supported by the most modern science as the most humane course available;
• that the animals culled during the operation were killed humanely by appropriately trained staff.
• faced with a complex enforcement challenge, there should have been greater consideration at the pre-operation stage of a graduated approach to the depopulation;
• there were shortcomings in communications and decision-making, including in relation to a well-intentioned decision to suspend the cull and allow the involvement of private individuals;
• there was insufficient thought given, when planning the operation, to the need to arrange the swift removal of the cattle and to the visual and emotional upset felt by individuals who witnessed carcases lying overnight exposed in open fields;
• information provided to the Minister and the Department’s senior leaders did not adequately highlight the risks associated with the operation including its timing and the specific method of disposal chosen.  Nor was there any indication to the Minister or the Department’s senior leadership that the operation had faced the challenges, risks and issues; 
• an absence of up-to-date written policy instructions left staff on the ground relying on historical custom and practice;
• there were shortcomings in clearance, field management, operational oversight, record keeping and dynamic risk assessment processes.   
• DAERA could and should have done better in planning in advance how to explain the nature of and necessity for the operation.

The review has made 10 recommendations which the Department will move swiftly implement. These include changes to:

• the process for determining the best approach to enforcing Court Orders in future;
• how operations are planned and signed off;
• the way requests to dispose of livestock are handled;
• the recording of information during complex operations;
• the planning of communications for operations that may be visible to the public and cause concern.