An elderly Clare farmer convicted of cruelty to cattle has escaped going to jail after the Department of Agriculture removed more than 100 animals from her farm.
Last month Marie O'Sullivan, from Doonass, Clonlara, Co Clare, was convicted of eight offences, including three of cruelty to cattle on her 130-acre farm.
Two weeks ago at Limerick District Court, Judge Tom O'Donnell told O'Sullivan she would be sent to jail ifher farm was not entirely depopulated.
Yesterday, the court heard from Ms Mary Bourke, a Department of Agriculture vet, who said all of the cattle had been slaughtered or destroyed.
Judge O'Donnell imposed an 18-month jail sentence but suspended it for two years. He also fined her €500 for having uncontrolled dogs on the farm.
In doing so he said he continued to be appalled by the "enormity of the inhumane treatment" at the farm. He said one trait of the entire case was "plain and simple meanness".
He said he believed the two nights O'Sullivan spent in Limerick prison earlier this month "hadn't meant a whit" to her.
The court also heard that at least 23 dogs remain on the farm and a number of them are loose and are not being treated properly.
In imposing sentence the judge recommended that the dog warden investigate. He urged O'Sullivan to assist the warden.