Two farmers have been sentenced to three months in prison, suspended for three years, on charges relating to breaches of the Animal Remedies Act in 1996. Noel Carter (54) and his son Wesley (24) of Ballyhagen House, Carbury, Co Kildare, pleaded guilty to four charges of failing to give information to Department of Agriculture officials about the location of animals on their farms in July and August 1996. Inspectors were investigating possible breaches of the Act, which covers the abuse of growth promoters and other drugs.
The special sitting of the District Court in Tullamore, Co Offaly, yesterday was told that the men, prominent cattle dealers, had previously been fined £12,000 arising out of a raid on the family home on June 25th, 1996. The offences related to the possession of hormone implant guns and hormone implant cartridges as well as obstruction charges.
Judge William Early said the Animal Remedies Act was in force to protect the health of consumers and the reputation of Irish products.
"To do anything to jeopardise this reputation threatens the jobs of tens of thousands of people and it is appropriate the courts make it clear that producers cannot break the law without serious penalties being imposed." He also fined each man £250 and ordered each to pay £250 witness expenses. He said if they were convicted on any offence in the next three years they would serve the sentences.
On behalf of the men, Mr Paul Burns said as a result of a series of incidents in June 1996, relations between the men and the Department of Agriculture were not cordial. The Carters were "fed up" and felt they were being unfairly treated. It would have been easy for the Carters to comply with the orders seeking information on animals because at no stage were any animals treated with illegal drugs found on their farms.
"Instead they adopted an ostrich-like attitude towards the authorities and ignored the notices," said Mr Burns. They felt the matter of notices could have been dealt with at the January 1997 sitting of the court where they had been "very severely punished". They now wanted the matter dealt with completely. During High Court proceedings brought by the Carters against the Department in August 1996, Mr Noel Carter, describing himself as a cattle exporter, said he farmed at Rogerstown, Rhode, Co Offaly; Friarstown, Co Kildare; Castledillon Stud, Straffan, Co Kildare, and he and his son farmed at Kilcock.