A FARMER charged with cruelty to a number of animals and with allowing nine dead animals to lie rotting on his land was arrested while trying to leave the State, a court has heard.
Simon O’Dwyer (63), of Garrue, Knockmoylan, Mullinavat, Co Kilkenny, appeared before Kilkenny District Court yesterday.
The court heard Mr O’Dwyer had “abandoned” his farm and that seven dead horses and two dead cows were discovered by gardaí on lands farmed by him on four dates between January and December 2009.
Mr O’Dwyer is charged with four counts of cruelty to animals and with three counts of failing to dispose of carcasses.
Insp Aidan Brennan of Kilkenny Garda station said the accused was arrested on Monday at Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, “crossing into Northern Ireland in an attempt to leave the jurisdiction”.
Mr O’Dwyer’s son, also Simon (26), is charged with two counts of cruelty and with one count of failing to disposes of a carcass but failed to appear before the court yesterday. A bench warrant was issued for his arrest.
The father is also charged with failing to appear at Birr District Court in October 2009 on charges of theft from an equestrian supply shop in Birr, Co Offaly, in May 2008.
Mr O’Dwyer was arrested on Monday after gardaí discovered dead animals at lands owned by Mr O’Dwyer at Garrue, Mullinavat, and at a field at Mullenbeg, Piltown, Co Kilkenny, on December 6th and 7th.
Garda Shane Elliffe, of Thomastown Garda station, said when charged Mr O’Dwyer replied: “I wasn’t there, nobody told me they were dead. The place is for sale but there is nobody to buy it.”
Michael Lanigan, solicitor for Mr O’Dwyer, said the offences relate to “an abandonment of a farm” and applied for legal aid.
Insp Brennan made an application for bail to be refused on the basis of “the circumstances of his arrest” and on the basis of a warrant being issued for failing to appear at a previous court sitting.
Judge William Harnett remanded Mr O’Dwyer in custody to appear at Castlecomer District Court on December 21st.