A Carlow farmer was given a four-month suspended sentence for neglecting his sheep by Judge Donnacha Ó Buachalla at Tullow District Court yesterday.
James Cleary, of Aghade, Kilbride, was charged with failure to inspect his animals and equipment at intervals, cruelty to animals and permitting carcasses to remain unburied at his lands at both Castlegrace, Ballon, Co Carlow, and Ballynavortha, Coolkenno, Co Wicklow, on February 12th, 2004.
Solicitor for the defence Mr Len Roche said as a result of l discussions between vets from the Department of Agriculture and Carlow County Council, Cleary had disposed of his sheep flock.
Mr Roche said his client was a single man in his 60s who had kept a lot of sheep, and was simply not in a position to manage them. There were no problems with his cattle.
Supt Thomas Mulligan said there was a previous conviction in 2001 for a similar offence.
Judge Ó Buachalla said Cleary must not farm sheep for at least 10 years. He was ordered to pay costs of €185 to the Department of Agriculture, and €850 to Carlow County Council.