A farmer in Co Galway has pled guilty to animal welfare offences, after around 200 dead calves were found on his farm.

Enda Mulleady, from Ballinamore Bridge, Ballinasloe, was charged with four offences under the Animal Health and Welfare Act and was accused of endangering the health of 'a large number of calves' on his farm. A judge at the trial described the findings on the farm as ‘shocking and beyond belief’.

Department of Agriculture veterinary inspector, Eamon Clarke, told the court it received a complaint, prompting an inspection which found dead calves both at the back of Mr Mulleady’s house and in a shed. Photos were produced showing dead calves in the same shed as some live animals.

According to Mr Clarke, the defendant had purchased what were described as 'fairly worthless' calves, some for as little as €5.

Mr Mulleady told the veterinary inspector that he owed money to a knackery and they were not willing to remove the animal carcases. Following the intervention of another veterinary inspector, they eventually agreed to do so.

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Prosecuting counsel, Helen Johnson, asked that the court direct that the farmer not be allowed to keep calves on his property that were under 12 weeks old.

Defending solicitor, Gearoid Geraghty, said his client had kept calves between around two and seven weeks old, but that pneumonia had spread through the herd and this had caused the premature deaths. However, the court heard that the defendant did not seek veterinary help when the problem arose.

Judge James Faughnan said that there was something seriously wrong with a farmer allowing such a situation to happen and said it merited a prison sentence.

The case was adjourned to a sitting of Ballinasloe Court in January, to allow for a psychological report to be prepared on the defendant.