Farmer back in court after jail for contempt

A JUDGE has ordered that a West Limerick farmer now in his sixth week in prison for contempt be brought before Limerick Circuit Court tomorrow.

Daniel Doherty, 40, was sent to Limerick prison by Judge Carroll Moran on July 29, when he refused to give an undertaking to vacate lands at Rathcahill, Templeglantine.

Sixteen “squatter” cattle belonging to Doherty were removed by the Roche family, lawful owners of the 40-acre farm at Rathcahill, Templeglantine.

Doherty claimed he had been left the land by one of two bachelor brothers who lived there up to the time of their deaths and who died without leaving wills.

The Circuit Court ruled that nephews and nieces of brothers Eddie and Matt Roche are the land’s lawful inheritors. Doherty’s challenge to this ruling was thrown out in the High Court last November.

Legal representatives for Edward Roche, the appointed administrator, have been informed by the Circuit Court office that Judge Moran has asked that Doherty be brought back to court tomorrow.

Emmet O’Brien, BL, for Edward Roche said he expects the judge to again ask Doherty to purge his contempt In a three hour operation, a total of 16 animals — 15 dry stock and one of Doherty’s cow — were removed from the land on August 11.

Within days five of the cattle were mysteriously returned to the land and again removed by the Roche family.

Bachelor brothers, Eddie and Matt Roche farmed the rushy hillside holding at Rachcahill, Templelantine.

Matt died in 2002. When Eddie passed away two years later, battle lines were drawn in a bitter struggle for the holding. Eamonn Roche was appointed administrator of the property on behalf of 12 nephews and nieces.

Danny Doherty then challenged their right to the land, saying he had helped the bachelor brothers run the farm, saving hay and walking their greyhounds.

He is also claiming Matt told him the land was his when he and his brother died.

He lost his case in the Circuit Court and an appeal by him was thrown out by the High Court.

Following the court hearings, Doherty refused to vacate the farm.

Judge Carroll Moran jailed Doherty for contempt and said the court would facilitate his early release when he changed his mind.