The Insolvency Service has defended its decision to bring in the Defence Force to shoot dead five cattle on a farm during a bankruptcy seizure.

WATCH: Horrific footage of cattle shot dead by armed forces in bankruptcy case in Monaghan Footage: @farmersjournal pic.twitter.com/7sQoUeCXLl

— Today FM News (@TodayFMNews) July 7, 2016

In a statement, it says the shooting was approved by the Department of Agriculture, with co-operation from the Gardaí.

The Insolvency Service of Ireland says they had a duty to recover the assets, and although it was not in their interest to kill the cattle, all other avenues had been exhausted.

It says the herd tested positive for TB, which restricted what they could do.

Helen Vaughan reports.