URGENT: Race against time as community beg for help in rescuing snow-trapped sheep

FARMERS are in a race against time to save their sheep, buried in snow, and are making an urgent appeal for help.

A community in southeastern County Limerick are desperate for resources to help them rescue sheep trapped under the snow on the Galtee Mountains.

A video of the rescue efforts posted by Carlow Weather has been shared widely on social media.

* The Big Snow of 2025 on the Galtees * Brothers Tom John William & their nephew Billy Cunningham along with their Hill Sheep Farming Neighbours are out on the Galtees with the last few days digging out their sheep who have been trapped in what has been the worst snow fall in… pic.twitter.com/zpv5HrSkMW

— Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) January 10, 2025

One local has issued an appeal for help saying it's a "heartbreaking" situation and that the farmers and residents are in "dire straits."

She said people are in a "terrible state" and are "snowed in." The community is appealing for assistance from mountain rescue or anyone who can help them try to locate the sheep "buried" under the snow.

READ MORE: PICTURES: Farmers will be in 'clover' once the snow in fields melts away

The sheep have been trapped since last Sunday and the local farmers along with sheep dogs have been carrying out the rescue mission since then.

Anne Drake is the sister of Tom, John and William Cunningham who are involved in a community wide effort to rescue the trapped sheep.

She remarked that during the severe weather in 1963, the sheep lasted 15 days under the snow so they're hopeful they find more survivors. "When they pull out the sheep, some of the sheep, would be traumatised and injured."

"The sheepdogs have been amazing, stated Anne. "They sniff them out... they find one and they find more."

Despite the rescue efforts, Anne said the farmers will suffer many sheep losses too won't know how man until next week. They're seeking funding to help cover the cost of veterinary bills. 

Anne said the farmers are leaving at first light in the morning to locate the sheep and that the mountains are completely covered in snow. They start by scraping the snow and then digging into it. Her mother is also helping to nurse and feed the sheep once they're located safely."

Anne has also been snowed in at her own home since last Saturday.

Speaking on Today with Claire Byrne on RTÉ Radio 1, Anne said the sheep "went into the hollow for safety and for shade" and the wind blew and covered them in snow. She added that the farmers might see a sheep's head sticking out of the show and rescue that sheep and find then there are five sheep underneath.