Co Tyrone farmer convicted of animal welfare charges

Nigel Conway, Drumlester Road, Sixmilecross, was convicted of five charges of failing to dispose of animal carcases, one charge of failing to notify the movement of bovine animals on to his holding, one charge of using eartags to identify an animal which had already been used to identify another animal, one charge of failing to comply with a movement notice, five charges of causing unnecessary suffering to sheep and a cow and three charges of failing to ensure the needs of animals were met to the extent required by good practice.

He had previously pleaded guilty and was fined £1,000 on one charge of failing to dispose of carcases and received a conditional discharge for two years on the remaining 15 charges. He was also disqualified from keeping all animals for six month. A deprivation order was granted and Conway has four weeks to depopulate his herd and flock. He also received a £15 offenders levy.

This case arose from an anonymous complaint to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.