An animal cruelty case that came before Clones District Court yesterday was described as "shocking", "stomach-turning" and "disturbing" by Judge Sean McBride.
Brian Wright (56) of Kilgorman, Newbliss, Co Monaghan, stood accused of six counts of animal cruelty and one count of permitting carcasses to remain unburied on his 250-acre farm on April 20th, 2007.
Judge McBride said it was a "shocking" case in which some cattle died because of a lack of fodder when Mr Wright could easily have sold some livestock. The judge said the fact the defendant held a degree in agricultural science made matters worse.
In his evidence, chief superintendent veterinary officer for Co Monaghan Des Patton said when he first called to Mr Wright's farm in 2003 there were between 400 and 450 cattle.
Many of these were severely debilitated and many had to be put down. Some 50 per cent were not tagged.
Over the course of the next two years, the department had assisted Mr Wright in getting his farm in order and helped him gain farm subsidies of €90,000 in 2006 and €40,000 in 2007.
However, an inspection on April 20th uncovered 12 cattle lying dead on the farm, some recently deceased and some one month dead. Mr Patton said there are currently about 150 cows on the Newbliss farm without housing or silage on site. He asked for social services to become involved.
Defence solicitor Paul Madden told the court his client had difficulties in obtaining grant aid, could not afford staff and was trying to deal with the situation. He said Mr Wright was currently selling 30 cattle and would sell 40 more over the next few months.
Judge McBride said he would jail Mr Wright if he didn't co-operate. "He is surrounded by the union army but still doesn't know he has lost the war."
In closing, the judge warned the defendant he would go to prison if the situation were not rectified. He ordered the Department of Agriculture to use its powers to amalgamate Mr Wright's herd with that in his mother's name if this was not already done in 30 days.
He also ordered that Mr Wright remove all carcases from the farm, tag and test each animal and provide adequate housing and fodder.
Judge McBride said Mr Wright is due to reappear in Monaghan District Court on March 11th. He will face a fine of €1,500 even if he has complied with the court, or a prison sentence otherwise.