Animal Crimes Register
A register of crimes against animals in Ireland
Clare
Irish Examiner, Daily Mirror, 9/6/2001
(main points)
Joe Meaney, (54) of Cappamore, Crusheen, Clare was jailed for one year and fined £3,000 for removing Department of Agriculture ear tags from two cattle and attaching them to completely different animals. He then sold the animals to another farmer in September 1999, making about £200. Mr.Meaney, a millionaire farmer pleaded not guilty to the charges at Ennis District Court on the 8/06/01.
Sell your cows or go to jail. Elderly farmer's last chance.
Daily Mirror, 07/12/2002.
A Judge issued his final warning to an elderly farmer convicted of cruelty to cattle on her farm. Marie O'Sullivan, 78, from Doonass, Clonlara, Co. Clare, was convicted last month of eight offences including three of cruelty to cattle on her 130-acre farm. Yesterday at Limerick District Court, Judge Tom O'Donnell told O'Sullivan she would be sent to jail if her farm wasn't depopulated within a fortnight. O'Sullivan's solicitor, Aneas McCarthy, told the court her client was adamant to keep some of the cattle on the farm despite a court order to get rid of them all. But the judge said he was not willing to allow the extreme cruelty to continue on the farm. Judge O'Donnell released O'Sullivan on bail until December 18 and warned that if the situation is not resolved he will jail her for 18 months despite her ages and ill health.
Fined €10,000 for BSE breach
Evening Herald, 17/10/2003
A farmer has been fined€ 10,000 and given a nine month suspended jail sentence for breaching regulations brought in to prevent the spread of BSE. Peter Stritch of Bellisle, Clonlara, Co Clare, who has previous convictions for livestock offences, was convicted of moving cattle into a restricted herd. Stritch pleaded guilty to ten counts of moving animals into a restricted holding on dates between January 2001 and May 2001. Last may the 37-year-old was fined €25,000 and received a four month suspended sentence after he was convicted of a number of offences, including importing cattle from the north contrary to controls.
Irish Examiner/Daily Mirror, 9/6/2001
(main points)
Joe Meaney, (54) of Cappamore, Crusheen, Clare was jailed for one year and fined £3,000 for removing Department of Agriculture ear tags from two cattle and attaching them to completely different animals. He then sold the animals to another farmer in September 1999, making about £200. Mr.Meaney, a millionaire farmer pleaded not guilty to the charges at Ennis District Court on the 8/06/01.
Examiner, 16/10/1999
Brendan Murphy (46) Derryasna, O’Briensbridge Co.Clare was convicted at Ennis District Court on the 15/10/99 for allowing to animals in his care to die of starvation. He was jailed for four months. Judge Albert O’Dea said that Mr. Murphy had let the animals die in the most cruel, miserable fashion.
Hunters blamed for reintroducing wild boar herds in rural Clare
Irish Examiner, July 31/01/2013
Underground hunting rings are believed to be behind the reintroduction of herds of wild boar into rural County Clare. Three separate herds of wild boar have been discovered by authorities in forestry areas in the east and south of the county in recent weeks — with a total of 24 animals being captured from the wild. The most recent herd was discovered last week in the Sixmilebridge area where two adults and two boar piglets were discovered. Earlier this year, 15 animals were discovered in the Scariff area and a further five were discovered in a separate forestry location in east Clare.
According to Clare County Council’s ISPCA Dog Warden, Frankie Coote, the
animals are likely being released on purpose so that their offspring can be
hunted for sport. “These could have been
released by people who took them in as pet and realised that they could not
look after them, but I believe that they are being introduced by people who
have an interest in coming back again and shooting the animals,” he said. “I think that this is an attempt to get them
back into the big forestry areas in the county. If they did make it undetected,
they would accumulate and they would run wild in no time. The people would then
come back and hunt them.”
The animals discovered were relatively tame, however, their offspring would be
wild and would present a danger to the public and to other wild animals.
“We’ve had three incidents over the last few months in different parts of the
county. These animals would have tusks and tough skin and the evidence suggests
to us that someone is trying to reintroduce them in an organised way,” he said.
“These can be very dangerous animals —
especially if they turn wild. The difficulty is that they breed like hell and
while these animals are relatively sedate, one sow could have 13 or 14
offspring, and these offspring would be wild. “If they were allowed to run wild it could quickly get out of control
and it would present us with a major problem.”
Wild boar are similar in size and weight to pigs. They are generally stronger
and better built, as they forage over large distances. They can be aggressive
towards humans, especially when they have piglets. They attack people by using their girth and
power to ram them — essentially head-butting them — before slashing upwards
with their sharp tusks.
Sick Puppies
Sunday World, 03/03/2002
Animal rights campaigners have accused travellers of holding sick dogs to ransom.
A couple running a dog refuge revealed that members of the travelling community are demanding cash to hand over ill animals. Clare-based Sybil Hinze said that the dog owners refuse to allow their pets be taken away for treatment until they get up to £50 in cash.
Sybil and husband Nick have been running a shelter for abused animals in Broad ford for three years.
Campaign
They also warned that ill-treatment of pets is not just confined for a major public educ6ation campaign.
“We have picked up dogs from travellers and sometimes you do have to pay them to get the animals,” she said.
“Some people won’t just give you the dog and there is no legal power that we have to seize the dogs. We are not the police. There is no law against tying a dog up to a caravan and leaving it there. All we can do is ask them nicely but they usually want money. They buy and sell dogs anyway. They ask for £30 or £50 for dogs. It depends on what you are willing to pay. But it is not only a travellers’ issue. There are other people, mostly farmers who can be ignorant of how to treat animals. People just need to be educated.”
Animal lover Sybil, who has seven dogs in her own home, also said some owners can become aggressive when rescuers try and seize their dogs.
“It is not only the travellers but they can be aggressive,” she explained. “They do not like being told that they are doing any wrong with the animals. To try to take a dog from them or ask them for it when they don’t want to give it can make some of them very aggressive. But it is a matter of realising that a dog sometimes needs to see a vet and get vaccinations. We have picked up animals that travellers have just left behind, tied to trees after they move on. They are homeless and starving and in a bad condition.”
Sybil and Nick called for an education campaign for animal owners after the horrific death of a pony during a backstreet harness race this week.
The animal died in agony after being forced to gallop at speeds of 30 mph in the race which took place in Castlemaine, Co Kerry.
The incident highlighted the lack of resources for tackling animal cruelty in Ireland and sparkled outrage among animal lovers around the country.
Shot birds horror for stunned golfers
The Sun, 11/02/2005
Glofers set for a round at a posh club got a shock when dead and dying birds rained down on the course. Marcus O’Brien, from Libmerick, said he and his pals heard a series of shots as they arrived to tee off at Dromoland Castle Golf Club.
He said: We were forced to watch the horrendous slaughter of some of the most beautiful wildlife. “We were captive on the tee for 20 minutes, while dead and partly dismemberd birds rained down.”
Marcus claims gun dogs then ran in and “finished off” the dying birds at the five-star Co Clare resort.
The fairways were left littered with mutilated birds and used cartridges. Marcus said: “Our game of golf was ruined and I have been left with terrible images. We’d just gone for quiet round.”
Dromoland Castle refused to comment. But it is understood management have contacted some players who were on the course at the weekend and apologised for any distress they suffered.
Organised shooting – along with golf, tennis, fishing, and boating – is among the activities offered by the resort.
ISPCA dog pounds ‘barbaric and cruel’
Sunday Tribune, 13/10/1996
The ISPCA has been accused of cruelty to animals at some of its dog pounds throughout the country. The allegations have been made by an animal welfare group. The Irish Trust For The Protection And Care for Animals (ITPCA), which has condemned the ISPCA’s policy of putting down dogs using a bolt gun.
The ISPCA says that conditions and practices at dog pounds in Sligo, Kerry Ennis and Roscommon amount to cruelty to the animals there. Following visits to the pounds two weeks ago, which they filmed, the Trust called on the ISPCA to “monitor animal shelters in rural areas or withdraw from the dog warden service.”
The ISPCA told The Sunday Tribune that it was aware that conditions at some pounds “were not up to scratch. We are currently trying to persuade local authorities to upgrade standards.”
The Trust claims that chloroform and bolt guns are used regularly in the Kerry pound. “These have no place in animal welfare,” said Robert Doyle, a director. “It is a barbaric, outdated and cruel practice.” He criticised the lack of veterinary input into the killing of animals. The shootings were usually carried out by dog wardens “who should not be the arbitrator between the life and death of an animal,” he said. The ISPCA acknowledged that bolt guns were used but denied it was a cruel way to kill animals.
Doyle’s film of the Ennis pound showed dogs of all ages in an enclosed room with no outdoor area and, apparently, no natural light. One of the dogs was continually scratching and seemed to have an eye lesion. There were also faeces littering the room and many of the dogs appeared bloated suggesting, said Doyle, that they had worms.
In Kerry, Doyle said the pound was situated “next to a slaughter house where pigs are killed on a daily basis. We would consider this to be inappropriate and causes stress to the dogs,” he added.
Mr Doyle said he had called the gardai to the Roscommon pound when he noticed a dog tied in a kennel “and in danger of strangulation.” The dog was standing in water but “the rope around its neck was too short and did not allow the animal to lie down without getting wet. The inside of the building was almost dark and a greyhound appeared to me to be in need of veterinary treatment.”
The Trust has called for the closure of the dog pounds in Roscommon and Sligo, where it claims conditions for animals are also poor. It also wants an end to the use of bolt guns which it described as a “form of cutprice dog control. That euthanasia is necessary at all is distressing. To have animals shot in the head – a shot that has no guarantee of success – by an organisation that is supposed to prevent cruelty is beyond belief.”
The ISPCA’s chief executive Ciaran O’Donovan rejected these claims, arguing that “new keneels are to be built in Sligo which will create a lot of extra space for the animals. I am aware of the problems in Roscommon but the local authority there has included money in its estimates for a new pound so that problem should be sorted soon as well.”
Conditions at most pounds were excellent, he said. “It would be nice to hear the Trust praise those as well as criticising the minority of pounds where conditions are poor.”
Sheep farmers shot dogs dead
Irish Examiner, 20/02/2015
Sheep farmers shot dead hunting dogs after lambs were slaughtered. The dogs, including beagles and cross-breeds, had been on a supervised hunt in Co Clare.
But eight dogs broke away from the pack and attacked sheep on two separate farms in Broadford.
The county’s dog warden Frankie Coote said yesterday the dogs killed two sheep and injured several more.
But more would possibly have been slaughtered, only for the alertness of farmers. He said the farmers, who notifiied the authorities, were acting within their rights. The lambing season is currently at its peak.Mr Coote said: “More than likely a deer brought them through the land and once they came on the young lambs, that was it.
“Even supervised, if they come on a deer, it can bring them anywhere. That’s what we believe happened. There are a lot of deer in that area.”
Mr Coote said the owner of the dogs had been identified. “The owner was with the dogs when they lost the pack. This is unusual for hunting dogs to do but all dogs will do it,” he explained.
“There were two farms. One was alerted and he went to his farm. Four of the dogs were shot while attacking the sheep.
“Then they went up to check the neighbour’s farm and there were four more dogs up there, attacking sheep.”
The dog warden said the attacks has long-term consequences for farmers. “All of those sheep were ready to lamb. You don’t know now whether they’ll have dead lambs or other problems.”
The incidents have been reported to gardaí.
“It’s completely legal to shoot dogs once livestock has been attacked, once the landowner notifies the dog warden or the gardaí immediately. They contacted me and I went down and removed the carcasses. I’m now in the process of meeting the owner.”
Mr Coote said he had never previously came across such a large number of dogs being shot together.
“This is the most, although I’ve seen dogs shot that did a lot more damage. The reason there wasn’t more damage was the farmers had been alerted and came on them. Otherwise the dogs would have slaughtered what was there. There is no winners in this,” he reflected.
The Clare People,13/10/2009
A HORSE WAS put down after his hooves were grossly overgrown and the animal was in obvious distress, a court has been told.
John Frost (63), of Deerpark, Doora, Quin, was charged with cruelly ill-treating an animal in February.
Clare County Dog Warden Frankie Coote told the court that, on foot of a call on February 7 last, he went to Doora the following morning, "where I believed there was a horse in distress".
On arrival, he could see a horse in a field. "He was in obvious distress. He was unable to get up," he said. He contacted gardaí and notified a vet and they arrived at the scene. He said that as the horse attempted to get up "it was very dangerous, so I tied him"."The hooves were grossly overgrown. The horse had to be destroyed. The vet examined the horse and decided that the horse was suffering and was unable to get up," said Mr Coote. He said he had inspected the same horse in October of last year, after he had received a complaint. He said at that time the owner had undertaken to get a farrier. Asked by defence solicitor Daragh Hassett had any efforts been made to contact Mr Frost prior to the animal being put down, Mr Coote said, "My concern was the horse."
Owen O'Connor, a vet, told the court he had concluded that no treatment was suitable for the horse and he advised that it be put to sleep. He said that overfeeding and repeated bouts of laminitis contributed to the condition of the horse. The horse was put down that day. He agreed with Mr Hassett that there was good grass and fresh water in the field. Mr Hassett submitted to the court that the evidence did not amount to cruelly ill-treating the animal. However, Inspector John O'Sullivan, prosecuting, said the evidence presented did amount to ill-treatment of the animal.
Judge Timothy Lucey convicted the accused. "This has been going on for some time. It didn't just happen overnight. That, in this court's view, is ill-treatment," he said. Mr Hassett said the case was "at the lower end of cruelty." "Mr Frost did his very best. He had the horse shod by a farrier. He had it done once a year. It would appear he should have it done twice a year, given the age of the horse. He's very sorry for what happened," he said.
The judge said the case was "serious". "The horse was in good condition otherwise, but this specific problem was not being dealt with. He knew there was a problem there. He ignored it. He let it run. Things can slip. That happens to everybody, but the animal is in your hands. The animal can do nothing about it. It is a serious situation,” said the judge. "In my view, he is clearly responsible for the horse and clearly didn't do what he was supposed to do," he added.” In the course of the case it was put to the court the owner should have been consulted before the horse was put down. I accept Mr O'Connor's professional judgment. I think he acted 100 per cent correctly in putting the animal out of his misery," he said. He said if the defendant had previous convictions, he would be facing a custodial sentence. He imposed a fine of €500 and fixed a bond in the event of an appeal.
Sheep farmers shot dogs dead
Irish Examiner, 20/02/ 2015
Sheep farmers shot dead hunting dogs after lambs were slaughtered. The dogs, including beagles and cross-breeds, had been on a supervised hunt in Co Clare.
But eight dogs broke away from the pack and attacked sheep on two separate farms in Broadford.
The county’s dog warden Frankie Coote said yesterday the dogs killed two sheep and injured several more.
But more would possibly have been slaughtered, only for the alertness of farmers. He said the farmers, who notifiied the authorities, were acting within their rights. The lambing season is currently at its peak.
Mr Coote said: “More than likely a deer brought them through the land and once they came on the young lambs, that was it.
“Even supervised, if they come on a deer, it can bring them anywhere. That’s what we believe happened. There are a lot of deer in that area.
Mr Coote said the owner of the dogs had been identified. “The owner was with the dogs when they lost the pack. This is unusual for hunting dogs to do but all dogs will do it,” he explained.
“There were two farms. One was alerted and he went to his farm. Four of the dogs were shot while attacking the sheep.
“Then they went up to check the neighbour’s farm and there were four more dogs up there, attacking sheep.”
The dog warden said the attacks has long-term consequences for farmers. “All of those sheep were ready to lamb. You don’t know now whether they’ll have dead lambs or other problems.”
The incidents have been reported to gardaí.
“It’s completely legal to shoot dogs once livestock has been attacked, once the landowner notifies the dog warden or the gardaí immediately. They contacted me and I went down and removed the carcasses. I’m now in the process of meeting the owner.”
Mr Coote said he had never previously came across such a large number of dogs being shot together.
“This is the most, although I’ve seen dogs shot that did a lot more damage. The reason there wasn’t more damage was the farmers had been alerted and came on them. Otherwise the dogs would have slaughtered what was there. There is no winners in this,” he reflected.
‘In my 23 years as a dog warden, I’ve never seen such a horrendous act of animal cruelty’
The German Shepherd had to be put down. Warning: Images are graphic.
Journal.ie, 25/08/2014
see moreAn investigation is under way in Co Clare into a suspected case of animal cruelty.The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) said the carcasses of nine horses, three cattle and three calves were found this week at the foot of Baltard Cliffs in Doonbeg, Co Clare.
ISPCA officer Frank Coote said the "evidence suggests" the animals were thrown from the cliff top.
Speaking to RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr Coote said it was difficult to identify the animals.
He said the horses did not have microchips and that there were no tags on the cattle, as their ears had been cut off.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Simon Coveney said that he is "extremely concerned" at the discovery of the carcasses.
Mr Coveney said: "The matter is now the subject of an urgent investigation involving the department, the gardaí and Clare County Council."
A huge amount of work has been done in recent years in the area of animal welfare, including significant new legislation and regulations around the treatment and ownership of animals, and year-on-year increases in funding, he said.
The vet who attended the scene said it is more likely an environmental and public health issue rather than a case of animal cruelty.
Fergal Hennessy from the Kilkee Veterinary Clinic attended to one emaciated horse found alive on the cliff top.
However, he said it would have been common for dead animals to be disposed of from a cliff and that the site was most likely used as a "dumping ground".
He said the Government and Minister Coveney had taken a particular interest in animal welfare, but said there was more to do.