Animals taken from squalid farm

Hundreds of animals have been removed from a County Down farm where they were being kept in squalid conditions.

It follows the discovery of a "mass grave" of more than 40 animals on the Ballyroney Road near Katesbridge on Thursday.

A judge granted a disposal order at Newry Magistrates Court on Saturday.

Almost 300 pigs, 15 cattle and one dog are going to new homes. However, the Department of Agriculture said four pigs should be destroyed.

The owner of the land said the animals belonged to a tenant who had leased the property, the court heard.