The Department of Agriculture is bringing nine new charges against a Co Kerry farmer, Killarney District Court heard on Tuesday.

The further charges are being brought against John Casey, otherwise known as Christy Casey, of Crosstown, Killarney, after Department vets visited his farm at Corbally, Killorglin, on 17 May.

The charges include: unauthorised possession of an animal carcase; failing to provide sufficient quantities of drinking water, food or other nourishment to an animal; causing unnecessary suffering to an animal; and failing to make a herd register available.

Prosecution barrister Tom Rice said that three of the nine new counts are relating to the same animal. The male animal was found minus a foot during an inspection by Department officials.

Offences

The offences allegedly occurred in Corbally, Killorglin, on 17 May 2019. Mr Casey’s solicitor Padraig O’Connell said his client would not be pleading guilty to the charges.

Mr Casey Snr and his son John Casey Junior are facing a total of 30 charges relating to alleged breaches of animal health and welfare regulations.

These charges relate to alleged offences which were all committed between 30 April 2014 and 19 February 2015 at various addresses in counties Kerry and Cork.

They pleaded guilty to some of these charges at an earlier court sitting.

Judge David Waters had adjourned a total of seven charges against Mr Casey Jnr and 14 charges against Mr Casey Snr until Tuesday, after previously being told that Mr Casey Jnr was receiving psychiatric care at University Hospital Kerry.

Bench warrant

The court heard a bench warrant was issued for Mr Casey Snr in June of this year, when he failed to attend court. Judge David Waters expressed his concern at Casey Snr’s previous non-appearance.

Defence solicitor Padraig O’Connell told Judge Waters that the reason Mr Casey Snr failed to show up on the previous occasion and had to be arrested on foot of a bench warrant was because he was with his son in hospital at the time.

Mr Casey Snr was warned by Judge Waters to attend in future. The father and son were remanded on continuing bail. The matter will be decided during a special sitting in October.