A Donegal man has been fined €400 for killing a three-month-old kitten. Brendan Sweeney (26), from Crickamore, Dungloe, appeared before Judge John O'Donnell who referred to him as "a nasty piece of goods".
Outlining the evidence at Dungloe District Court yesterday, Garda Gerald Dalton said that on June 20th, 2005, he became aware of an incident involving a kitten in Loughanure, Annagry.
He said the owner of the kitten had heard from the "kids" in the house next door that her kitten had been killed the previous day. Garda Dalton called to the house next door and spoke to the sister of the accused, who confirmed Sweeney had killed the kitten.
She said he had "lost his head, grabbed the kitten and threw it to the ground a number of times with force. He then threw it into the lake." Sweeney's sister said she found the kitten later in the day. She told Garda Dalton it was dead and she buried it close to the lake.
On July 3rd, Sweeney gave a statement to Garda Dalton. He said he was from Crickamore in Dungloe and had a child who would be one in a week's time. He said he was going out with the child's mother and had been due to get married in a few weeks' time but had split up from her on June 17th.
He said that on the date of the incident he had gone to his sister's house between 4pm and 5pm.
He said there were students staying there and they were playing with a small kitten. Sweeney said he picked it up and carried it to the lake. He said it fell out of his hands a couple of times but he went to the lake behind his sister's house and threw it in.
Garda Dalton confirmed that the relationship was subsequently back on track and the couple were back together and had since married. Patrick Sweeney, defending, said his client regretted his actions very deeply.
Judge O'Donnell remarked: "He has revealed himself as a nasty piece of goods. Taking his anger out on a kitten and causing upset to the family next door."
Garda Dalton stated that he was not aware of any apology which had been offered by the accused. Sweeney took the stand and apologised for his actions.