A Co Mayo farmer was sentenced to six months in jail yesterday for the illegal use of clenbuterol, known as "angel dust". John Donnellan, single, of Ballinaphuill, Claremorris, who is in his mid-20s, pleaded guilty to 17 charges of using the illegal growth promoter on 17 animals.
He was also fined a total of £5,000 by Judge Bernard Brennan at Claremorris Court.
Seven Department of Agriculture officials raided two holdings leased in Claremorris by the defendant in February 1995. They discovered 17 animals being fed with a high concentration of the banned substance.