Turlough farmer warned he faces jail

Turlough farmer warned he faces jail


A Turlough farmer who was convicted for a second time in relation to his management of livestock was told by Judge Mary Devins that if he recorded a third conviction he would be facing a custodial sentence at last week’s sitting of Castlebar District Court.
Mr John Hegarty of Cashel, Turlough who the court was told works as an agent for farmers sourcing cattle for slaughter was accused of causing an obstruction in October last year when he was visited by officials of the Department of Agriculture after concerns arose in relation to the true identity of a number of heifers in his herd.
When they visited his farm in Turlough to inspect the animals Mr Hegarty had agreed to have them penned. However upon arrival the corresponding animals were nowhere to be seen and Mr Hegarty insisted that they must have broken out.
Evidence was sought to clarify the identity of the heifers but this documentation has never been submitted. Mr Hegarty has stated the last time he saw the animals was on the Pontoon Road close to his land.
The court heard Mr Hegarty was a 38 year-old married father of three who was described as being an “honest, hardworking, very unorganised farmer” who was trying to do his best in the circumstances. He had 30 acres of land and 16 acres were rented.
Mr Hegarty’s solicitor told the court that the law safeguarding the identity of animals in a herd was primarily to stop the spread of disease, and there was never an issue of disease being hidden in this case.
The court heard that Mr Hegarty regularly transported cattle for slaughter and on occasions where he could not fit them all in to his vehicle he would take them without going through the proper procedures.
Judge Devins told him: “If you’re collecting cattle to bring to the factory and you don’t have room you don’t bring them.” She convicted and fined him €1000 and warned him he would go to prison if he was convicted a third time.