Dundalk Court: Counterfeit labels found on meat
Counterfeit labels purporting to be from well-known meat processors around the country were found during a follow up inspection of a local business, after a routine visit by Louth County Council’s Veterinary Officer and officials from the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, Dundalk Circuit Court heard last Friday.
Martin McCreesh (58) of Dromore, Castleblayney, was originally prosecuted for 20 offences, and was sentenced for three – including custody of a false instrument at Across Foods, Rock Road, Blackrock on April 20th 2017.
Judge Dara Hayes noted that the guilty pleas, while not entered early, were seen as valuable by the State.
They related to a business run by the defendant, which supplied raw meat on a wholesale basis and Judge Hayes said of particular note were 48 boxes of meat that were not properly marked.
In total 135 boxes of frozen meat were seized.
Judge Hayes noted the boxes had labels purporting to be from meat processors, but the meat did not originate from there.
While Mr. McCreesh made some admissions, little of evidential value arose during his interview.
The 58-year-old father of three worked most of his life in the meat business.
Judge Hayes said his three previous convictions were entirely unrelated and he was cooperative with the investigation and noted that it was accepted there was meat regularly and properly on the premises.
Although the meat in question was not suitable for human consumption, it was not intended for that market and Mr McCreesh had submitted his licence for the premises.
Judge Hayes said a number of testimonials spoke well of the accused, who he said has contributed significantly to his community over the years.
However, he added the integrity of the meat supply is key to the meat sector, on which a significant part of the country relies.
The Probation Service had assessed the defendant as being at low risk of reoffending and he was not deemed in need of Probation supervision.
Judge Hayes stressed that had the case been related to meat which ended up in the food chain, there would have been a real risk of a custodial sentence.
Instead of a 15 month sentence, the judge made an order directing that the defendant complete 150 hours unpaid work in the community within the next 18 months.
A spokesperson for Louth County Council welcomed the outcome saying it sends a strong message to the industry that food fraud will be fully investigated and those found to engage in it will be brought before the courts.