Two calf carcasses were left unburied on Cloone farm

A farmer was convicted on two counts of permitting a carcass to remain unburied on his farm.

Kevin Higgins, Drumadorn, Mohill pleaded guilty to the offences which occurred on November 28, 2021, at Drumadorn, Mohill.

Gardai received a call from a member of the public that they were concerned for the welfare of animals on the farm of Kevin Higgins.

Gardai inspected the farm at Cloone and found the decaying carcass of a calf outside a shed and another carcass of a calf was found in a ditch on the farm.

A letter from Mr Higgins' doctor was handed into court.

Solicitor, Martin Burke, described the case as “really sad” and said Mr Higgins “has had a bad run of things.”

He explained that these were not the only animals that passed away on his land and that he had got the others disposed of properly.

Judge Vincent Deane described it as a “dreadful case” and said the fact that the animals died there and were left unburied was terrible.

He said that while the crime was “abhorrent,” when sentencing he also had to take the offender into consideration.

He said Mr Higgins has a lot of mitigation and while that didn't excuse the offence he certainly did have to take it into account when imposing sentence.

He imposed a fine of €300 on each count, allowing six months to pay.

Judge Deane said the headline sentence was substantially reduced due to Mr Higgins' own personal circumstances.

Mr Burke said his client was trying to address his alcohol problems. He added there are still other animals on the farm and the Department of Agriculture is very happy with them.

Judge Deane said he was very glad to hear that.