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Farmer jailed for animal cruelty after pig was found eaten alive on his farm has jail term cut on appeal
Summary
Rory O'Brien, 60, of Killicane, Mitchelstown, Cork, pleaded guilty to five counts of animal cruelty for failing to treat pigs that were found eaten alive on his farm between May and September 2011. He was originally sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment by Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin on 12 February 2015. On appeal, Ken Fogarty SC argued that the judge had been influenced by facts about other counts that were not before the court. The Court of Appeal, led by Justice Garrett Sheehan, upheld the need for a custodial sentence but reduced the term to 12 months, suspending the final six months. The decision acknowledged O'Brien's personal circumstances, including significant debt and his previous good character, while maintaining that the offences were "extremely serious.".
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Farmer jailed for animal cruelty after pig was found eaten alive on his farm has jail term cut on appeal. Charges or matters: animal cruelty; failing to comply with a notice. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- September 2011 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 12 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 25, 2011 Other
- May 9, 2011 Other
- June 3 2011 Other
- May 3 Incident
- September 8 2011 Incident
- June 7 Incident
- 2015-07-24 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: animal cruelty; failing to comply with a notice (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment by Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin on February 12 2015.
Places mentioned
- Cork
- Cork Circuit Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
Topics
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