Courts / Longford / Report
Pig-farmer Donal Connaughton granted bail pending appeal
Summary
Donal Connaughton, a pig farmer from Newtowncashel, County Longford, has been granted bail pending an appeal against his conviction. The Court of Criminal Appeal made the decision on 12 December 2013. Connaughton was sentenced to twelve months imprisonment last month by Judge Tony Hunt at Longford Circuit Criminal Court. He was found guilty in December 2012 of two counts of false imprisonment, two counts of threatening to cause serious harm, one count of assault, and two counts of criminal damage relating to an incident at a pig farm in Longford on 29 April 2010. He was acquitted of a further assault charge. Presiding Justice Adrian Hardiman said the court was influenced by the likelihood that Connaughton's sentence would expire before his appeal hearing. The appeal will proceed on grounds that jurors may have been influenced during trial. Gardaí investigated allegations made by Connaughton but the Director of Public Prosecutions directed no prosecution. Bail was granted on the same terms as those imposed before trial.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Pig-farmer Donal Connaughton granted bail pending appeal. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Acquitted
When:
- December 2012 Incident
- 2013-12-12 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Finding: Acquitted
Outcome: Acquitted; Donal Connaughton, (55), with and address at Newtowncashel, Co Longford, was sentenced to 12 months in prison by Judge Tony Hunt at Longford Circuit Criminal Court. Presiding judge Mr Justice Adrian Hardiman this afternoon said the Court of Criminal Appeal was influenced by the fact that Connaughton's sentence would "undoubtedly expire" before the hearing of his appeal.
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