A solicitor has told a court that there was “significant neglect of animals” on the farm of Co Clare farmer Pat Cahir.

At Ennis District Court, State solicitor for Clare Aisling Casey said that after talks with solicitor Daragh Hassett for Cahir, the farmer of Buncraggy, Ennis, is pleading guilty to three of the seven summons before the court “on a full facts basis”.

Ms Casey said: “There was significant neglect of animals on the farm and the Department of Agriculture is trying to work with Mr Cahir to improve the situation and for the animals as well.”

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In the case, Ms Casey said that Mr Cahir is pleading guilty to neglect or was reckless regarding the health and welfare of animals, namely sheep and cattle between 17 November 2023 and 23 May 2024 under Section 1(b) of the Animal Health and Welfare Act.

Disposal of carcases

Ms Casey said that Mr Cahir is also pleading guilty to regulations concerning the disposal of carcases, where he had carcases of animals - namely cattle and sheep - on land which a dog may have had access to.

She said that Mr Cahir is also pleading guilty to breaches under Section 42(4) and 42(9) of the Animal and Welfare Act where he is required to address the issuance of animal health and welfare notices by authorised officers.

Ms Casey told the court that there was a compliance notice issued to Mr Cahir on 4 January 2024 and it set out a number of compliances in order for his farm to become unrestricted.

She said that he has not undertaken those compliances at this stage.

Mr Hassett said that Mr Cahir has no previous convictions and allowed things to get on top of him.

Ms Casey said that water remains an issue on Mr Cahir’s farm.

Improvements

Mr Hassett said that his client has made significant improvements in relation to water troughs on his land and that his model of farming is going to change.

He said there will be no more wintering of cattle at the farm and it will be a summer enterprise.

Mr Hassett said that he would have more to say on the issue of mitigation on the next day in court, but said that Mr Cahir has engaged with the Irish Farmers' Association to assist him.

Ms Casey said that the case could be adjourned to 11 July to Ennis District Court, where the court will hear the facts and mitigation in the case.