A bench warrant has been issued for Co Tipperary farmer John Hanrahan after he was convicted of two offences under the Control of Dogs Act in Carrick-on-Suir District Court on Thursday.

Hanrahan, with an address at Ballycurkeen, Ballydine, Carrick-on-Suir, was not present in court on the day and did not have any legal representative in court on his behalf.

Judge John King issued the warrant to have Hanrahan brought to court for sentencing, which could result in a fine or three months in jail.

Two incidents

The case relates to two separate incidents in 2014 in which sheep were killed in a field at Butlerstown, adjoining Hanrahan’s farm.

The sheep were owned by Brian and Ann Kehoe, whose home farm is at Ballydine, Kilsheelan, Clonmel, but whose outfarm where the sheep were attacked is at Butlerstown.

Fourteen butcher lambs and two breeding ewes were killed and a further 12 lambs injured when they were attacked by Alsatian-type dogs.

The incidents happened on 29 July 2014 and 19 August 2014.

Losses

The Kehoes estimated the loss of their sheep, veterinary charges, knackery disposal and other costs amounted to €2,357.

John Hanrahan was recently awarded almost €300,000 by the Supreme Court after he took a case against the Department of Agriculture over the unlawful sale of more than 200 seized cattle.