Hennessy Auctioneers based in Stradbally, Co Laois, has made the decision to cancel next Saturday's (21 March) monthly machinery auction which was planned to take place at its usual location, the old mart in Portlaoise.

The auction has been cancelled in response to the Coronavirus outbreak (Covid-19).

Public safety

A spokesperson from Hennessy’s told the Irish Farmers Journal that the decision was made to postpone Saturday’s auction on the basis of public safety.

“In the interest of the public safety and in support of other businesses who have made the tough decision to close their doors to fight Covid-19, we are cancelling our monthly auction next Saturday 21 March at the old mart in Portlaoise,” the spokesperson said.

“As to rescheduling the sale, a new date is unknown and will be dependent on how the situation develops in the next number of weeks.”