'Controlled electrical stimuli' for sheep in Kildare suggested

The dilemma of sheep straying was raised at a recent Kildare County Council meeting

By Ciarán Mather Published 22nd Oct 2026, 16:30 GMT 'Controlled electrical stimuli' for sheep in Kildare suggested | FILE PHOTOGRAPH / PIXABAY The dilemma of sheep straying was raised at a recent Kildare County Council meeting 'Controlled electrical stimuli' in order to prevent sheep in County Kildare from straying, among other measures, has been suggested by a local representative.

Fianna Fáil councillor Brian O’Loughlin proposed the measures at the latest Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District (MD) meeting, which took place on Wednesday, October 21 last.

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It follows after he raised the ‘continuous problem’ of sheep straying in Kildare at last month’s MD meeting.

Read More Woodturning exhibition taking place in Naas next month Families across Kildare 'living in fear' due to drug debt intimidation Skate park and greenway sought near Kildare-based GAA club and business park Kildare being 'forgotten' when it comes to health services - TD During this meeting, he motioned for Kildare County Council (KCC) to write to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Marine, Martin Heydon TD (Fine Gael), in order to ‘introduce a pilot virtual fencing scheme for sheep grazing on The Curragh Plains’.

According to Cllr O’Loughlin, the pilot ‘should access GPS enabled collars using an app-based virtual boundaries, with audible warning and controlled electrical stimuli to prevent sheep from straying onto public roads, surrounding villages and residential areas’, with the ultimate aim of improving road safety and animal welfare.

His motion was seconded by the Mayor of the MD, Fianna Fáil Cllr Suzanne Doyle.

In response to Cllr O’Loughlin’s request, KCC said that the members would have to agree to send the letter.

Following a brief discussion among the councillors, it was agreed that KCC would send the letter to Minister Heydon.