A farmer checking on his cattle in Rathconrath, Mullingar had to be rescued by Gardaí after he was attacked by one of his cows.

The man, who is originally from Sligo and is believed to be renting land at Ballinacarrow, Rathconrath, sustained broken ribs, a broken wrist and injuries to his head following the vicious attack by one of his cows who had just given birth to a calf.

The incident happened at approximately 10 o’clock at night, when the farmer was “gored” by the cow.

It is reported the man became trapped by the cow, who stood over him, for more than an hour until the man’s sister, who had accompanied him, raised the alarm and rang the Gardaí for help.

Gardaí employed the help of a local farmer who used a tractor to reach the man in the field which was located a mile from the main road.

The man was conveyed safely to the Garda patrol car and brought to the Midland Regional Hospital at Mullingar for treatment.