‘Brazen’ pigmeat producer jailed for cruelty

Animal cruelty on an industrial scale saw one of the biggest pigmeat producers in the country jailed for 18 months yesterday.

Horrific evidence of pigs being cannibalised was heard at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. Pigs were also deprived of a proper water supply in rat-infested pens during hot, sunny weather. Other examples had been presented during the sentencing of Rory O’Brien, aged 60, whose brazenness, in defying department officials, was noted by Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin.

The defence had presented a catastrophic financial background where O’Brien owed over €22m.