Jurisdiction refused in animal cruelty case in Kilkenny

A man accused of animal cruelty had his case adjourned at a recent sitting of Kilkenny District Court.

William Carthy, Wetlands Halting Site, Kilkenny is accused of an offence contrary to s58 (a) of The Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 at Drakelands Upper on the Ballycallan Road in Co Kilkenny on April 3, 2025.

The court heard that on the date in question the defendant was in a vehicle with a co-accused when he ‘saw a horse on the road’.

Solicitor Chris Hogan told the court that the co-accused Christine Maria O’Reilly, 3 Railway Cottages, Powerstown Road, Clonmel, Co Tipperary was driving the vehicle. She is charged with careless driving and an offence contrary to s12 (1) (a) of the Animal Health and Welfare Act.

“William Carthy was in the boot of the vehicle and was leading a horse from the back of the car.

Mr Hogan said that his client said he saw the horse on the road and knew that he belonged to his family who live at the Wetlands Halting Site.

At the time Mr Carthy was banned from having horses.

Judge Geraldine Carthy refused jurisdiction.