Cork farmer banned from keeping cattle by court

A judge has banned a Cork farmer from keeping any livestock for a period of 15 years, following a sitting of Macroom District Court on 14 January 2026.

Denis O’Regan (49) of Dromaculling, Coachford, Co Cork, was prosecuted by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in a case relating to animal cruelty and neglect.

Mr O’Regan, who pleaded guilty, was disqualified from owning any animals, other than three small pet animals, for a period of 15 years.

“The presiding judge imposed a three-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months,” a Department of Agriculture spokesperson told the Irish Farmers Journal.

“The defendant was fined €3,000 and was directed to discharge the legal costs of the prosecution in the sum of €7,500 plus VAT.

“This prosecution related to offences contrary to the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 including failing to keep and treat bovine animals in a manner that safeguarded the health and welfare of those animals, causing unnecessary suffering to or endangering the health and welfare of the animals, not providing sufficient feed and drinking water and permitting carcases to remain on the land,” the spokesperson said.

The Department takes its responsibilities for protecting animal welfare most seriously and strongly condemns any cruelty or mistreatment of animals, they added.

“The Department has a helpline to which complaints regarding animal cruelty can be submitted, call 01-607-2379 and email address animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie.

“If breaches of animal welfare legislation are identified on any farm, the Department will investigate and will take appropriate action,” the spokesperson said.