Wicklow farmer banned from animals for life after rotting carcasses found on his land

Wicklow farmer banned from animals for life after rotting carcasses found on his land

Sheep, lambs and cattle. (stock image) Photo: Getty

A Wicklow farmer has been jailed and banned for life from having any involvement in animals, after gardaí discovered dead livestock and rotting carcasses on his land.

Michael Mooney (42), of Logstown, Valleymount, Co Wicklow, appeared before Wicklow Circuit Court for sentencing after pleading guilty to three counts of unnecessary suffering to farm animals on lands at Crossage, Dunlavin, Co Wicklow, on March 20, 2023. The offences were contrary to Section 12(1)(a) of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.

Garda Damien Prendergast, from Dunlavin Garda Station, told the court that in March 2023, while driving through Dunlavin, he saw several sheep wand