A Co Roscommon farmer has taken a High Court challenge to a decision to impose a penalty of almost £10,000 on him for alleged breach of the Rural Environment Protection Scheme.
Mr Justice O Caoimh yesterday granted an application by Mr Peter Bland, for Mr Michael Connaughton, of Southpark, Castlerea, for leave to take judicial review proceedings seeking to overturn a decision that he breached REPS and a penalty of £9,890.26, representing the amount he had received under REPS to date, for that alleged breach.
He is also challenging a decision by the Department of Agriculture to exclude him from further participation in the scheme.