This article is from page 13 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 13 JPG
TWO farmers found themselves be- fore a court after an animal that had not been tested for tuberculosis was passed on from one farm to another.
Henry Keane, of Kilfearagh, Kilkee and Eugene Baker, of Clountabon- nive, Connolly, pleaded guilty to one charge each arising out of movement of a seven-year-old animal.
Counsel for the Department of Ag- riculture Lorcan Connolly, BL, told Kilrush District Court that an ani- mal was moved from Baker’s hold- ing to Keane’s holding despite not having been tested for tuberculosis in the previous 12 months.
He said that Baker allowed it to be moved, while Keane received it into his holding.
Solicitor Michael Ryan, for Keane, said his client does not have any pre- vious convictions. The court heard that Baker was convicted in Febru- ary 2008 of charges of a similar na- meter
Mr Ryan said Keane has bought
and sold thousands of cattle over the years and there had never been a problem before. He said that Baker was recommended to him by a long- standing business associate and he said he had bought cattle in good faith.
‘He is bewildered that he is here in court because of this. He didn’t check that particular record. Subsequently the animal for this card passed the test,’ he said.
Baker was represented by solicitor Eugene O’Kelly, who said his client is living in the back of his jeep as his house went to his wife as part of a separation.
Mr O’Kelly said the test certificate was out by 14 days and it was an oversight on his client’s part. “There was no difficulty with the animal. When the test was done, it passed,” he added.
A six-month jail term was imposed on Baker and a bond was fixed in the event of an appeal. Keane was fined €300 and ordered to pay witnesses expenses of €250.