A Co Kildare farmer facing 59 charges of cruelty to animals had his case adjourned at Kilcock District Court yesterday.
The court heard that the defendant, Mr Donal Fitzpatrick, Baltracey, Donadea, Naas, was attending a psychologist in Dublin.
The court was told he had failed to make contact with his solicitor since the last court sitting in October, and the solicitor, Mr Donal Houlihan, wished to "come off the record".
Mr Eddie Timmons, solicitor, said he was taking over the case and was seeking an adjournment as he had not been fully briefed.
Judge John Brophy, who remarked that 199 sheep had died on Mr Fitzpatrick's lands over three months, said the defendant's psychologist would have to come to court to give evidence.
He adjourned the case to January 25th, 2000.