Courts / Sligo / Report

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

Summary

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.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Dept of Agriculture official has some animal welfare convictions quashed after court error. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• December 16th 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
• January 24th 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2021-12-21 Publication

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Related court reports

• Courier who claimed pay unlawfully docked over garage door mishap wins wages back
• Doctor gets 10 years for rape, control and assaults on wife
• Judge rejects Gill's arguments against extradition for Robbie Lawlor murder
• Trial of garda accused of rape and child cruelty in closing stages
• Sligo man Barry Young wanted in NI for gangland murder of Robbie Lawlor
• Robbie Lawlor murder accused argues UK trial would breach his rights

Read the original CNI report