A Co. Down farmer was convicted recently at Newry Magistrates’ Court of one charge of failure to notify the births or movement of seven animals onto his holding.
Patrick Tiernan from Tievecrum Road, Forkhill, Newry was also convicted of one charge of failure to dispose of a carcass.
Tiernan pleaded guilty and was fined £1,250 (€1,449) plus £15 (€17) offenders levy.
These offences came to light during an inspection of Tiernan’s farm by Veterinary Service Enforcement Branch.
Breaches of the Cattle Identification Regulations weaken and undermine the cattle traceability system in the North, according to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.
Farmer and haulier convicted and fined
A farmer and a haulier were recently convicted at Armagh Magistrates’ Court on a charge connected with the transportation of an animal.
Farmer, Patrick McParland from Brootally Road, Co. Armagh,was convicted at Armagh Magistrates’ Court on one charge of causing a bovine animal to be transported in a way likely to cause injury or unnecessary suffering to it.
Stephen Smyth, a haulier from Madden Road, Keady, Co. Armagh, was also convicted on one charge of transporting a bovine animal in a way which was likely to cause injury or unnecessary suffering.
Both men were fined £500 (€582) each as well as a £15 (€17.40) offender levy.
Smyth was transporting an animal belonging to McParland to an abattoir in Northern Ireland.
The Official Veterinarian (OV) at the abattoir noticed that the animal was almost completely non-weight bearing on its front right leg which was massively swollen.
In the opinion of the OV the animal had been caused unnecessary suffering by being transported.
