An elderly farmer has died after he was attacked by a cow on the family farm in County Clare.

Michael O’Dea, a 74-year-old from the village of Cree in West Clare, had gone to the aid of his son after the cow turned on him.

The pair had gone to dose a newly born calf according to reports.

The cow became agitated and initially turned on the younger man.

When the father intervened the cow kicked him several times and the pensioner suffered fatal injuries.
His son, who suffered a broken ankle in the attack, managed to raise the alarm.

Emergency teams failed to save the man who was pronounced dead at the scene by a local doctor.