*Compliances have not been undertaken at the farm.
“SIGNIFICANT neglect of animals” occurred on the land of an Ennis farmer, a solicitor has told a court.
At Ennis District Court, State Solicitor for Clare, Aisling Casey said that after talks with solicitor, Daragh Hassett for Pat Cahir, the farmer of Buncraggy, Ennis is pleading guilty to three of the seven summons before the court “on a full facts basis”.
Ms Casey said, “There was significant neglect of animals on the farm and the Department of Agriculture is trying to work with Mr Cahir to improve the situation and for the animals as well”.
In the case, Ms Casey said that Mr Cahir is pleading guilty to neglect or was reckless regarding the health and welfare of animals, namely sheep and cattle between November 17th 2023 and May 23rd 2024 under Section 1(b) of the Animal Health and Welfare Act.
Ms Casey said that Mr Cahir is also pleading guilty to regulations concerning the disposal of carcasses where he had carcasses of animals, namely cattle and sheep on land which a dog may have had access to.
She said that Mr Cahir is also pleading guilty to breaches under Section 42(4) and 42(9) of the Animal and Welfare Act where he is required to address the issuance of animal health and welfare notices by authorised officers.
Ms Casey told the court that there was a compliance notice issued to Mr Cahir on January 4th 2024 and it set out a number of compliances in order for his farm to become unrestricted.
She said that he has not undertaken those compliances at this stage.
Mr Hassett said that Mr Cahir has no previous convictions and allowed things to get on top of him.
Ms Casey said that the water remains an issue on Mr Cahir’s farm.
Mr Hassett said that his client has made significant improvements in relation to water troughs on his land and that his model of farming is going to change.
He said there will be no more wintering cattle at the farm and it will be a summer enterprise.
Mr Hassett said that he would have more to say on the issue of mitigation on the next day in court but said that Mr Cahir has engaged with the IFA to assist him.
Ms Casey said that the case could be adjourned to July 11th to Ennis District Court where the court will hear the facts and mitigation in the case.
