Calf had to be euthanised by a veterinary officer as inspectors uncover horrifying scenes of neglect on Co Tyrone farm, court hears
A district judge has described a Tyrone farmer as “a shame on your profession” after being told of the horrifying scenes of neglect on his farm found during welfare inspections by DAERA officers.
Sean Doran, aged 61, from Finulagh Road, Castlecaulfield, was placed on Probation for 18 months and ordered to carry out 80 hours of Community Service.
He was also disqualified from keeping, owning and transporting animals for 10 years.
Doran was convicted on six charges of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal, three charges of failure to ensure the needs of an animal were met, one charge of failure to dispose of animal carcasses, and one charge of failure to present medicine records when required to do so.
Bail of £400 was fixed to appeal the disqualification.
Sentencing Doran, District Judge Francis Rafferty said the matter has been ongoing for three years and recent inspections showed pigs are still roaming free and one was found eating a plastic bag.
The judge said the photographs showed the horrifying neglect that no living creature should be kept in.
Dungannon Magistrates Court was told that the case arose following numerous welfare inspections carried out by DAERA officers between February 2023 and April 2024.
Prosecuting counsel said cattle, sheep and pigs were found to be housed in dirty housing without dry lying and exposed to hazardous material which could cause injury. Some animals did not have access to feed and water and others had access to contaminated feed and water.
He said calves and lambs were identified in a poor state of health and one calf had to be euthanised by the veterinary officer present as in their opinion it was suffering unnecessarily. A number of carcasses, bones, skulls and skeletons were observed during the inspections in the yard.
A defence lawyer said Dorman accepted that he should have done better but events took place against a marital breakdown which has been very difficult for him.
He pointed out that the defendant’s son was now helping him on the farm and in recent weeks and months they have been putting to rights the wrongs of the past.