The man was working on a farm in Newtowncunningham when the accident happened.

Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir said the FMD outbreak is of ‘significant concern’ for farmers in Northern Ireland

Diarmuid Phelan has pleaded not guilty to murdering Keith Conlon at Hazelgrove Farm, Kiltalown Lane, Tallaght, on February 24th, 2022. Photo: Collins

The jury also heard on Tuesday afternoon that when Mr Phelan gave evidence in a 2017 case of trespassing and damage on his lands, people had made threats to kill him in the courtroom.

Further arrests are expected following the multi-million euro haul.

Last April, the fund purportedly appointed joint receivers over the lands which the court heard forms a significant part of their family farm.

The ewes were taken from a field in Claudy and comes after another theft of sheep in the area last month.