A farmer with 35 years' experience was fined €200 at the monthly sitting of Mountbellew District Court where he faced charges of ill-treating four sheep.
The farm of Joseph Raftery, Alloonbawn, Ballymacward, Ballinasloe, Co Galway was visited in April last year by the district vet who inspected his herd. Sgt Patrick Flanagan told the court that there were animals in a distressed state. They had been badly fed, were malnourished and some had eyes picked out by birds.
The vet visited the farm a second time and ordered Mr Raftery to have the four sheep put down. Gardaí accompanied the vet and witnessed the animals being humanely killed.
Sgt Flanagan agreed with the defence that this was the first time Mr Raftery had come to the attention of the authorities.