Farmer is sent for trial in Circuit Court over animal cruelty charges

COURT

A FARMER accused of various animal welfare offences, including causing unnecessary suffering to a bovine with an ingrown horn, has been sent forward for trial in the circuit court.

Before Ballinasloe District Court last week was Eugene Costello of Coolfree, Taughmaconnell, Ballinasloe, County Roscommon, who faces 29 charges involving poor husbandry, overstocking, disposal of carcasses and issues with tagging.

The case is being prosecuted by Kieran Madigan, State Solicitor for County Roscommon, on behalf of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Mr Madigan told the court that he had served a book of evidence on the accused.

He confirmed to Judge James Faughnan that at a previous hearing in May he had refused jurisdiction in the case.

Suffering

The offences are alleged to have occurred between February 20, 2025, and May 1, 2025, at land in Coolfree, Taughmaconnell, Ballinasloe, Co Roscommon.One of the alleged breaches of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 included that on February 20, 2025, the accused caused unnecessary suffering to or did endanger the health and welfare of a protected animal, a bovine with an ingrown horn and swollen eye.

Other alleged offences related to “unnecessary suffering” to an untagged calf; failure to supply sufficient quantity of suitable and wholesome food to horses and bovines; and failure to ensure a number of sheep were unable to stray from land where they were kept.

The accused also faces charges relating to disposal of carcasses and tagging issues, including an alleged failure to ensure livestock were identified by ear tags.

Judge Faughnan remanded the accused on bail to appear before the November 3 sitting of Roscommon Circuit Court.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.