Horseracing vet admits possessing unlicensed animal products

A Co Kilkenny horseracing vet who counts champion trainer Willie Mullins among his clients is facing a fitness-to-practice hearing after pleading guilty to three counts of possessing unauthorised animal remedies.

Tim Brennan (44), of Mill House, Upper Grange, Gowran, also pleaded guilty at Kilkenny District Court to one count of failing to keep records in respect of an animal remedy.

The offences were detected during an inspection by Department of Agriculture and Turf Club officials at the training yard owned by Willie Mullins in Bagenalstown, Co Carlow, on February 9th 2015. The unlicensed substances were found in Mr Brennan’s van, which was on the property at the time.

Willie Mullins is not involved in the case and the Turf Club confirmed earlier this year that there was no suspicion surrounding him.

Painkiller

The substances Mr Brennan had in his possession were catasol, a painkiller used in animals; a nutrient called hemo-15; and quinidine sulfate, which is not licensed in this country.

Louis Reardon, an Department of Agriculture inspector, said he searched Mr Brennan’s van during a visit to the yard and recovered a number of products which were used as animal remedies.

These were sent for analysis to the State Laboratory but he noted “a number” of the products could be bought under licence in Ireland.

The following April, Mr Reardon interviewed Mr Brennan who “admitted possession of the various substances” and he later visited his offices and made inquiries about his record-keeping.

John Halley, a vet to the Coolmore breeding and Ballydoyle training operations, said all of the substances involved would be found in the boot of a vet’s car “from time to time” as they were all “therapeutic” products.

Paperwork

Asked about how good vets are at “keeping the boot of the car tidy” and their paperwork, Mr Halley said “it’s very difficult”.

In his submission, Stephen Lanigan O’Keeffe, defending, said the offences were “of an entirely technical nature” and the products were ones Mr Brennan could have legally held if he had done his paper work.

Mr Brennan found himself in court and while the prosecution had taken a “very reasonable view” of the situation, he was also facing a fitness-to-practice inquiry by the Veterinary Council.

Judge Michael O’Shea said there were no aggravating factors and the offences were “purely regulatory” and “through inadvertence” by Mr Brennan. He dealt with the matter under the Probation of Offenders Act, without imposing a conviction, and ordered the defendant to pay €1,150 in witness expenses.