A Co Monaghan farmer was fined £21,000 and received a six-year suspended sentence yesterday after he pleaded guilty to 12 charges of possessing and supplying growth hormones.
Peather Hamaill from Dromore, Inniskeen, came before Monaghan Circuit Court. In addition to the fine and the suspended sentence, a further £15,000 that Hamaill had lodged in court was forfeited.
Hamaill had been stopped at a Garda checkpoint in February, 1996, in Ardee, Co Louth. When the van was searched gardai found a five-gallon drum. When asked what it was Hamaill replied "hydraulic fluid". However, when the Department of Agriculture's special detection unit examined the drum, it was found to contain growth hormones. A search of Hamaill's farm found syringes, needles and cartridges used for administering these substances to cattle.
Judge Matt Deery, sentencing Hamaill, said he would take into consideration his family circumstances. His mother has Alzheimer's disease and his sister was also in poor health.