A young couple yesterday criticised a decision in Cobh District Court to fine a farmer who shot two pet dogs in front of their children just 50p. Nadine and Gerard Haberline said they were shocked John O'Connell (63), from Ballymore, Cobh, Co Cork, was fined so little.
O'Connell was charged with a number of offences including ill-treating the dogs and criminal damage on January 14th last. However he was convicted only of firing a gun in a public place, which carries a maximum fine of 50p.
Ms Haberline said she was walking home with her daughters, Lucinda (6) and Christobel (5) and their friend Claire Ahern, their wheaten terrier Belinda and a friend's dog, Harvey. Claire spotted a man on a ditch with a gun so they called the dogs and they came out from a nearby graveyard.
The man - O'Connell - stepped back a little and shot Belinda. He then put the gun to Harvey's head and shot him too, said Ms Haberline. She said her daughters had nightmares ever since. O'Connell said he had heard dogs barking. He got his gun and jumped up on the ditch where he saw two dogs chasing his sheep.
Judge Smithwick dismissed charges against O'Connell of ill-treating the dogs. He also dismissed a criminal damage charge, saying it was obvious the dogs were harassing the sheep. "I think he was entitled to shoot the dogs damaging his sheep," declared the judge. He convicted O'Connell of discharging a gun in a public place but said he regretted the maximum fine was just 50p. Afterwards Mr and Ms Haberline said they would consider taking a civil action against O'Connell over the shootings.