Farmer who failed to cut stock levels fined €10k

A farmer has been ordered to pay €10,000 in fines and costs after he failed to comply with a court order to reduce his stock levels.

Anthony Donoghue, aged 69, of Mullahoran, Kilcogey, Co Cavan, had since May to follow a Department of Agriculture plan to reduce his sheep, cattle and horse numbers but failed to do so.

The department will now seize the extra animals and they will be sold.