NINE COWS on a farm in County Clare have been killed after being struck by lightning in a freak storm.
Weather warnings had previously been issued for large parts of Ireland, with forecasts predicting widespread hail as well as flooding.
However, the extreme weather conditions took a freakish turn in Dunlicky, Co Clare, on Ireland’s west coast when nine farm animals were struck by lightning.
The cows were discovered by shocked passers-by, who came across the cows in a field on the Dunlicky Road cliff drive after hearing several powerful claps of thunder.
Described the scene, one witness told the Irish Examiner how they came across the cows with their “legs in the air” in the immediate aftermath of the lightning strike.
"Just after we passed Dunlicky Castle we saw the cows in the field,” they said.
"There were a few cars and men in there as well. I think it was nine milking cows we counted."
The authorities have yet to establish who owns the nine cows killed.
The incident is the second time cows have been killed by lightning in Ireland within the past 12 months.
Last August, eight cows were struck by lightning during a storm near Tipperary.
