Wexford farm at centre of major animal welfare case still under scrutiny after veterinary inspection
Wexford PeopleA veterinary inspection has been carried out on a Wexford farm at the centre of a major animal welfare case in which more than 250 animal carcasses were previously discovered.
Gorey District Court heard that concerns remain about conditions on lands owned by Larry Butler (55), of Ballyellis, Gorey, despite improvements being made since the matter first came before the courts.
The case stems from April 2024 when gardaí responded to reports of animal carcasses on the farm. During that inspection, approximately 250 carcasses, the majority of them sheep, were discovered in varying states of decomposition.
The court previously heard that surviving sheep on the lands did not have sufficient grazing to meet their nutritional needs and were suffering from sheep scab, a highly contagious skin condition which can cause severe itching, wool loss and significant welfare issues.
A veterinary inspector told the court that a further inspection was carried out on June 8, 2026. At that time there were 81 adult sheep and a similar number of lambs on the lands.
The inspector said grass levels remained insufficient for the number of animals present and no welfare plan had been provided. The court also heard that at least one sheep was emaciated and struggled to stand.
The inspector stated that on April 11, 2024, Butler was advised to reduce the number of sheep to zero and to not bring in any new sheep, stating she had “never seen that many carcasses”.
Photos taken at the farmlands of Larry Ellis in Ballyellis, Gorey, in April 2024. © An Garda Síochaná
However, she did confirm during cross-examination that on the most recent inspection 99 percent of the sheep were in “reasonable” condition.
Barrister for Butler, Nicholas Revilles BL, stated to the court that since the initial incident the animals and the land owned by Butler are in “far better condition”.
Mr Revilles went on to inform the court that Butler was enrolled in a two-year animal welfare course in an attempt to remedy his failures.
Judge John Cheatle acknowledged that progress appeared to have been made but stated he is “not satisfied everything is as it should be”.
He adjourned the matter until February 3, 2027, and directed that a probation report be prepared. Judge Cheatle said the adjournment would also allow the court to assess how the animals fare through the winter months before deciding how the case should proceed.