A man who faced numerous charges relating to the illegal movement of cattle from Donegal to Northern Ireland has been fined €1,200 and ordered to pay costs of €5,810.
Judge Éiteáin Cunningham previously ordered that evidence be produced showing where the animals were slaughtered after the court heard they "entered the food chain" some years ago.
Stephen Douglas Rowe of 3 Tawnawanny Road, Leggs, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, was before Donegal District Court on Monday 24 November. Having initially faced 135 charges, Rowe pleaded guilty to 30 sample charges from four sets of summonses.
The defendant admitted 10 counts that on or about 18 January 2021 from Bridgetown, Laghey, he exported a bovine bearing a specified ear tag number to Northern Ireland without the required health certificates.
Guilty plea
He pleaded guilty to five counts of the same offence on a date between 9 March 2021 and 30 March 2021 inclusive.
Donegal town court house. / Siobhán McNamara
Rowe admitted 10 counts that on 18 January 2021, he exported a bovine animal with a specified tag number to Northern Ireland from Bridgetown, Laghey, without an intradermal tuberculin test being carried out during the preceding 30 days. He further admitted five counts of the same offence on a date between 9 and 31 March 2021.
No trace
The previous court sitting on 22 September heard that cattle which were moved from Donegal to Fermanagh "disappeared with no trace" according to an official from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Judge Cunningham said she accepted a claim by the defendant that he required medical attention due to the stress of being investigated. But she said further co-operation was required.
Adjourning the matter to 22 November, she said: “I will allow him to put his best foot forward, to co-operate with the department. I want full traceability.”
At the 24 November sitting, barrister Peter Nolan provided evidence that all the animals were slaughtered.
Judge Cunningham said: “It is at the 11th hour and it does put the department in a position that can’t indicate if there are any consequences. Further enquiries will be required, but I have enough information for the court to make a decision in terms of sentencing.”
She imposed a conviction and fine of €300 on one charge from each of four summonses, with the remaining 26 charges taken into consideration.
As well as fines totalling €1,200, Rowe was ordered to pay prosecution costs of €5,810.
Read more
Man facing 135 charges relating to cross-border movement of cattle
A man who faced numerous charges relating to the illegal movement of cattle from Donegal to Northern Ireland has been fined €1,200 and ordered to pay costs of €5,810.
Judge Éiteáin Cunningham previously ordered that evidence be produced showing where the animals were slaughtered after the court heard they "entered the food chain" some years ago.
Stephen Douglas Rowe of 3 Tawnawanny Road, Leggs, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, was before Donegal District Court on Monday 24 November. Having initially faced 135 charges, Rowe pleaded guilty to 30 sample charges from four sets of summonses.
The defendant admitted 10 counts that on or about 18 January 2021 from Bridgetown, Laghey, he exported a bovine bearing a specified ear tag number to Northern Ireland without the required health certificates.
Guilty plea
He pleaded guilty to five counts of the same offence on a date between 9 March 2021 and 30 March 2021 inclusive.
Donegal town court house. / Siobhán McNamara
Rowe admitted 10 counts that on 18 January 2021, he exported a bovine animal with a specified tag number to Northern Ireland from Bridgetown, Laghey, without an intradermal tuberculin test being carried out during the preceding 30 days. He further admitted five counts of the same offence on a date between 9 and 31 March 2021.
No trace
The previous court sitting on 22 September heard that cattle which were moved from Donegal to Fermanagh "disappeared with no trace" according to an official from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Judge Cunningham said she accepted a claim by the defendant that he required medical attention due to the stress of being investigated. But she said further co-operation was required.
Adjourning the matter to 22 November, she said: “I will allow him to put his best foot forward, to co-operate with the department. I want full traceability.”
At the 24 November sitting, barrister Peter Nolan provided evidence that all the animals were slaughtered.
Judge Cunningham said: “It is at the 11th hour and it does put the department in a position that can’t indicate if there are any consequences. Further enquiries will be required, but I have enough information for the court to make a decision in terms of sentencing.”
She imposed a conviction and fine of €300 on one charge from each of four summonses, with the remaining 26 charges taken into consideration.
As well as fines totalling €1,200, Rowe was ordered to pay prosecution costs of €5,810.
Read more
Man facing 135 charges relating to cross-border movement of cattle
SHARING OPTIONS