Dept of Agriculture official has some animal welfare convictions quashed after court error

The High Court has set aside certain convictions and suspended sentences imposed on a Department of Agriculture official in relation to animal carcass disposal breaches. Bernard Kilgariff, aged 64, of Bricklieve, Castlebaldwin, County Sligo, was convicted before Sligo District Court in June 2021 of animal welfare offences spanning several years. He pleaded guilty to charges including animal neglect, welfare breaches, and failure to have animals tested for tuberculosis and bovine viral diarrhoea since 2016. The District Court imposed a four-month suspended sentence on carcass disposal charges and fines on testing matters. However, the Minister for Agriculture sought judicial review, arguing the judge erred in imposing a custodial sentence for offences that carried a maximum fine penalty only. Mr Justice Charles Meenan granted the orders quashing the convictions and sentences relating to the 2015 Disposal of Carcases Regulations breaches. The remaining orders, including a five-year disqualification from holding a herd number, remain valid.