80 cattle and 200 sheep ‘suffering’ from severe neglect removed from farmer

At Ennis District Court, Department veterinary inspector Andrew O’Connor outlined the level of animal neglect at the farm of Pat Cahir (61) of Buncraggy, Ennis, which he visited 22 times between November 2023 and October 2024.

Mr Cahir’s farm had 100 cattle and 200 sheep, and recalling the conditions he came across on his first visit to the farm, Mr O’Connor said that the “cattle had no fodder. They were hungry. They were lean, in poor body condition and scavenging for anything they could get. There was no grass.”

He said the sheds were not in a fit state to inhabit and there were water troughs which were highly contaminated with algae growth and stagnant water.

Mr O’Connor said the mortality rate was too high where you had two to three bovines dying per week.

He said the Department decided around Christmas time 2023 to remove the animals and on January 4, 2024, the Department “seized all animals bar 10 bullocks and a handful of sheep that were uncatchable on the day”.

A booklet of photos of the neglect was handed into court, including abandoned carcasses of animals on the farm.

After viewing the photos, Judge Alec Gabbett admitted that he was ‘stunned’ by what he had seen.

He said there was evidence that some of the animal carcasses he had seen were there for weeks.

He said: “These are the most distressing set of photos of animals I have seen in a long time. It takes a hard stomach to walk past what I have seen.”

On behalf of the Department, Thomas Wallace O’Donnell BL said Mr Cahir had agreed to a compliance notice which limits his stock to 20 bovines and no sheep.

In response, Judge Gabbett asked: “What about the 20 bovines – do they have no rights?”

"Is there capacity to comply with the notice? It strikes me that someone’s capacity is at issue today. They are not able to do it or can’t do it."

Mr Cahir’s solicitor Daragh Hassett told the court that “those photos are very admittedly quite distressing, to see the animals suffering in that way”.

Mr Hassett said his client is a 61-year-old bachelor farmer and has farmed for almost 50 years.

He told the court that Mr Cahir has suffered very badly with his physical and mental health particularly since 2021.

He said Mr Cahir went to his GP and she sets out his difficulties; Mr Hassett handed the letter into court.

Farming “can be a very lonely profession at times”, said Mr Hassett. who added that his client “is now maintaining his physical and mental health, which is benefiting the animals he has going forward”.

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Mr Hassett said he was shown a video of animals grazing the lands which occurred the day before court. He said Mr Cahir was in dispute with his contractor over the cutting of silage in 2023 which didn’t help the situation.

He told the judge: “I am not going to justify in any shape or form the photos you have seen.”

Mr Hassett pointed out that Mr Cahir has no off-farm income and his annual turnover would be at most €30,000.

His client has a 210ac holding of mixed quality, he said.

Mr Hassett said ICSA general secretary Hugh Farrell has been of great assistance to his client: “He knows how serious the case is and is assisting Mr Cahir at all stages.”

Mr Cahir lost €25,000 because of the Department removing the animals, according to Mr Hassett. “They felt that they had to act and Mr Cahir might feel differently as he was at the time selling cattle through the marts to reduce his numbers.”

Mr Hassett added that it is Mr Cahir’s wish is to return to stock levels of 50 cattle and 50 sheep, as he feels that a 20 cattle limit “is going to eventually bankrupt him”.

Mr Cahir has pleaded guilty to neglect or that he was reckless regarding the health and welfare of animals, between November 17, 2023 and May 23, 2024 under Section 1(b) of the Animal Health and Welfare Act.

He also pleaded guilty to regulations concerning the disposal of carcasses where he had carcasses on land which a dog may have had access to.

Judge Gabbett said it was an appropriate case for monitoring and adjourned the case to October 10.