Farmer fined €5k for obstructing work of department vet

A FARMER who obstructed a vet’s examination of his cattle for the Department of Agriculture shouted abusive and sexually insulting comments during the incident and yesterday he was given a suspended nine-month jail sentence and €5,000 in fines for the obstruction and other offences.

Judge Patrick J. Moran told Denis McCarthy, 67, The Island, Newmarket, Co Cork, that the only reason he was not jailing him was because of his age.

“I am concerned about your behaviour and your attitude towards the Department of Agriculture and their officers and indeed towards the guards… Every other farmer in the country allows them on their land, or most of them do,” the judge said.