Wicklow farmer banned from animals for life after rotting carcasses found on his land
The Wicklow PeopleA Wicklow farmer has been jailed and banned for life from having any involvement in animals, after gardaí discovered dead livestock and rotting carcasses on his land.
Michael Mooney (42), of Logstown, Valleymount, Co Wicklow, appeared before Wicklow Circuit Court for sentencing after pleading guilty to three counts of unnecessary suffering to farm animals on lands at Crossage, Dunlavin, Co Wicklow, on March 20, 2023. The offences were contrary to Section 12(1)(a) of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.
Garda Damien Prendergast, from Dunlavin Garda Station, told the court that in March 2023, while driving through Dunlavin, he saw several sheep wandering on the road. He returned the animals to Mr Mooney’s land, where he observed dead livestock, animal carcasses and a strong smell of decay.
He said he returned later the same day with other gardaí to inspect the scene. On their return, they took photographs which were shown in court. These depicted several dead and decomposing cows, lambs and sheep.
A video taken on the day was also played in court. It showed carcasses in black bin liners and a water system that was not correctly plumbed. The animals were housed in two large hay sheds.
James Kelly SC, counsel for the prosecution, asked Gda Prendergast how he was so knowledgeable about the evidence he was giving. Gda Prendergast explained that he had worked in agriculture before joining An Garda Síochána.
The court heard that Mr Mooney was leasing the land, but that some of the animals were under his brother’s herd number. Both men were questioned.
“On paper they belong to my brother, but I’m really in control,” Michael Mooney told gardaí.
Gda Prendergast told the court that some of the carcasses had become mummified due to the heat after being placed in black bags. He described Mr Mooney as “extremely cooperative and not a bad fella”, adding, “I think he worked too hard and had stretched himself too much.”
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The Department of Agriculture later carried out inspections on Mr Mooney’s other lands in Ashford, Navan and other locations across Wicklow and Kildare. Inspectors gave them a clean bill of health, and no further issues were found.
Counsel for Mr Mooney said his client had taken on too many farms, spread too far apart, explaining that proximity is vital in farming. Gda Prendergast agreed.
Lucy Jerram, a European veterinary specialist in bovine health management, testified that she completed two reports on Mr Mooney’s farms in June and October 2025. She told the court that her reports found Mr Mooney in compliance with regulations and that standards on his farms were now high. She said she had no knowledge of his previous offences, allowing her to remain impartial.
Ms Jerram told the court that “where there is livestock, there is dead stock” and agreed with the defence that Mr Mooney could not have simply “dressed up the farms for the report”, saying the improvements would have taken a prolonged period.
Barrister for the defendant, Damien Sheridan BL, instructed by Páraic Hyland Solicitors, said the reports painted a positive picture for Mr Mooney’s future. He told the court that he now has all cattle and sheep registered in his own name and that he had been under significant financial pressure due to a large Revenue bill.
When sentencing, Judge Patrick Quinn said he had taken into account Mr Mooney’s early guilty plea but told him that “you need to respect animals and you have a responsibility to meet their basic needs”.
He sentenced Mr Mooney to four years in prison, with the final 18 months suspended for 18 months, and imposed a lifetime ban on farming or having any involvement with animals in any capacity.