This article is from page 12 of the 2009-11-24 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 12 JPG
A WEST CLARE man who has failed to comply with court recom- mendations relating to his farm looks upon his animals as his children.
That was the view of the man’s so- licitor in the wake of a court hearing that the accused has not complied with three of four court recommen- dations made over a year ago.
In September 2008, Patrick Shan- non (56), of Carrownacalla South, Kilrush, pleaded guilty to four charges of cruelly ill-treating ani-
mals. On that occasion, the court heard concerns about the welfare of animals on the farm.
A veterinary inspector told the court that animals on the farm were thin and hungry and were confined by an electric fence. On that occa- sion, Shannon undertook to rec- tify the matter and the case was ad- Selubence MUM ERM iso .@
Superintendent Michael Comyns told the court last Wednesday that four recommendations were to be complied with, but all have not been. All animals were to be tested and
this was done. However, the other recommendations — cattle were to be divided into sections, strip grazing was to be stopped and the cattle were to be sold — were not complied with.
Defending solicitor Michael Ryan said it was a very difficult case. He said the court would benefit if there was to be an assessment by the pro- bation service.
“Mr Shannon is farming for many years. His family are farming in that area for 100 years. He has a great love for the animals. He regards WaCe OO MEZISM OUISIO ODE (GNK=IO MAIN SlomNy-nTOn
Mr Ryan said he did not believe there was a “willful” disregard of the court’s order. “He has very strong views on strip grazing. He feels if he sells, prices are horrendous at the moment. There is a certain common sense in that. He’s not refusing to sell them. He’s refusing to sell them en masse,” he said.
Judge Joseph Mangan said, “Pro- bation report or not, he will have to tidy up his act. We are talking about severe penalties if he doesn’t get his act together.’ The judge asked the defendant was he undertaking to
take down the electric fencing on the farm. He replied, “I block graze and I give them silage.” Asked would he undertake to comply with court or- ders, he said. “There is flooding there at the moment.”
The judge then told the solicitor, ‘He is looking at a prison sentence.” Shannon then said, “I’m not a person who does bad things. I have no bru- cellosis. I have no TB.”
The judge replied, “You are doing a bad thing now” and adjourned the case for two months for preparation of a probation report.