Farmer, 75, admits harassing auctioneer

A 75-year-old farmer who admitted harassing an auctioneer following an auction where he paid €605,000 for 48 acres of land has been given a suspended sentence.

He was also fined €3,000 and told to have “no contact whatsoever” with the auctioneer — unless it is through someone else and for business reasons.

Passing sentence on bachelor farmer Patrick Sherlock, of Kells Rd, Collon, Co Louth, Judge Donagh McDonagh said the case had a “resonance”, with other cases and “literacy and artistic works involving land and fields”.