Almost two weeks after snow engulfed thousands of livestock, desperate farmers are still battling snowdrifts up to 30 feet (9m) deep in search of their animals.
The grim realisation had set in for many that any animals they did come across would most likely be added to the mounds of dead sheep and lambs building up on farmyards across counties Antrim and Down.
Rather than tending to newborn livestock on her farm in Glenarm, Elaine McGarel was stacking carcasses.
Prior to the heavy snowfall she had a flock of 200. She has accounted for just 50 since.
In her farmyard there was a pile of dead animals, around 40 dead sheep and lambs which she had retrieved.
She knows there are many more in the snow-covered fields surrounding her property.
“It is heartbreaking, devastating for farmers,” she said.
Yesterday was the first day the carcasses of the thousands of animals that perished in the snow were being collected.
Farmers, many of whom face financial ruin, were told to pile dead livestock on their properties, cover them in tarpaulin and book a collection of the fallen animals.
Thanks to Argiris Diamantis for this link