A farmer was convicted at Castleblayney District Court yesterday on three charges of possessing illegal animal drugs in contravention of EC regulations at his farm near the Border seven years ago.
The court heard the case, brought by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry, against Aidan McCooey (42), a father of four, of Derrycreevy, Co Monaghan, was the subject of a judicial review in the High Court and a subsequent ruling by the Supreme Court which resulted in yesterday's hearing.
He was charged with having containers in his possession on December 18th, 1992, containing prohibited chemical substances, including traces of clenbuterol, more commonly known as "angel dust".
McCooey pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three months imprisonment on two of the charges. He received a four-month sentence in respect of the charge relating to clenbuterol. He was also fined £1,000 in respect of each charge.
Judge Flann Brennan refused an application to suspend the terms of imprisonment but fixed recognisances for appeal on McCooey's bond of £2,000.