The Dealer understands that a very expensive road accident occurred last week when a lorry transporting over 20t of cattle hides overturned.

The truck was carrying hides which have been valued at approximately €60,000. It was travelling from a processor in the west to Cork for exporting. It is understood that the lorry lost control and ended up turning over. The incident occurred near Corrandualla in Co Galway.

A major recovery operation was launched involving a couple of excavators as well as an army of volunteers to get the truck back on its wheels.

Speaking to a witness, The Dealer learned the hides were intact when the truck overturned but it was only when it was being righted on to its wheels that the load burst out through the curtain-sided trailer. This resulted in the hides being useless. Tough break, but thankfully no one was injured.

Hides are used to make leather products such as couches, car seats and shoes.