Farmer sentenced at Dungannon court for causing unnecessary suffering to an animal as 29 animals needed to be euthanised

Martin Beattie (59), Shantonagh Road, Fivemiletown was convicted on:

• Thirteen charges of failure to dispose of an animal carcase.
• One charge of failure to comply with an Animal By-Products notice.
• Six charges of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.
• One charge of failure to produce medicine records.

Mr Beattie had previously pleaded guilty and was fined £2,100.

He was also disqualified for life from keeping, owning or participating in the keeping of animals, being party to an arrangement under which animals are kept, and from transporting or arranging the transport of all animals.

A deprivation order was granted.

In addition, he also received a one month custodial sentence suspended for two years, in respect of the thirteen animal carcase charges and a one month custodial sentence suspended for two years, in respect of the animal-by-products notice charge.

He also received a five month custodial sentence suspended for two years, in respect of the six unnecessary suffering charges.

He also received a one month custodial sentence suspended for two years, in respect of the one medicine records.

All suspended sentences are to run concurrently. An offender levy of £15 was also applied.

The case arose following numerous welfare inspections carried out by DAERA Direct staff and Welfare and Enforcement Staff between 28/01/2022 and 30/01/2024.

During these inspections conditions on the farm were very poor, the land was severely poached, housing was poorly maintained, with dirty bedding and there was insufficient access to feed and water.

Limited feed that was available was contaminated with urine and dung.

A large number of animals were caused unnecessary suffering, 29 animals were euthanised to prevent further unnecessary suffering.

Approximately 33 animal carcasses and a number of animal bones were also found.