Runaway Pigs Stop Traffic In Ennis

Business & Finance - Farming & Fisheries

Tuesday, 22 November 2011 15:29

Written by Pat Flynn

Two pigs tried to make a break for it yesterday (Monday) when they cunningly escaped from a field and set off at pace down the middle of a busy road in Co Clare. 

The squealing omnivores managed to get free from the farm near Ashline, Kilrush Road on the outskirts of Ennis at around 1.15pm.

The pair were first spotted running along the N68 Kilrush Road towards Ennis town before they turned off the route onto Clonroadmore towards residential areas.

Motorists braked while shoppers and workers at nearby garages could only watch in amusement as the pigs raced the road in the pouring rain.

Farm workers however were quick to react with one managing to overtake the pigs in his van and stop them in their tracks. The animals were intercepted near St Flannan's College and lead into a small park before they could reach nearby housing estates.

The farm-hand blocked the entrance of the park with his van and called for colleagues to come and help him. The man held the animals until a trailer could be secured to return them to the farm.

However workers still had their work cut out for them as three men spent some time trying to catch the animals but the pigs still proved too elusive.

Finally, and only after being offered feed from a bucket, did the workers manage to persuade the excited animals into the trailer.

One motorist said: "I was filling my car in the garage when I heard the commotion. I heard a car skid in the rain and saw the two pigs. I couldn't believe it and all I could do was laugh to be honest."

Another driver said: "I saw them coming in the Kilrush Road and I just stopped my car. I didn't know which way they were going to go so I stopped and left them go where they wanted. As it happened, they cut right across in front of me and down the side road. Definitely not something you'd see everyday."

Last January, a rogue cow ran down a garda and three members of the public after she escaped from a local mart and ran wild along a busy road in Ennis.

The agitated and heavily pregnant animal raced along the Quin Road straight towards Ennis town but was prevented from getting near the town centre by members of the public and a garda all of whom suffered minor injuries.