Swann warns of fireworks threat to farm animals

Robin Swann, the North Antrim Ulster Unionist Constituency Chairman, says the borough and wider North Antrim community, both urban and rural, need to remain on alert because of the threat from fireworks in the countryside.

“With the Hallowe’en break approaching, there remains the threat from large volumes of often illegal fireworks in the countryside,” he said.

“These illegal fireworks, and especially the loud banger types, still pose a considerable threat to farm livestock.

“In my capacity as Constituency Association Chairman, I’ve had reported to me where one livestock owner saw an individual throwing lighted fireworks from the window of a moving car into the middle of a flock of sheep which were standing in a roadside field.

“The result was to send the sheep into a severe state of panic. These sorts of sickening attacks on defenceless farm livestock cannot be condoned in any shape or form,” said Mr Swann.

“I would appeal to the community that if they have any knowledge of these types of attacks to give the information as soon as possible to the police so that these people can be brought before the courts and face the due process of the law.

“I would also appeal to parents to ensure they know that their children are doing. Attacks on live stock are an open attack on the farmer’s livelihood and assets,” he said.