Court fines vet €10k for impedingofficials

A dual-qualified pharmacist and vet has been convicted of impeding officials from the Department of Agriculture as they sought veterinary prescription records from his place of work. He was yesterday fined €10,000.

Dan McCarthy, who owns the Classes Lake pharmacy near Ballincollig, Co Cork, was also directed to make a contribution to the State’s legal costs, with Judge James McNulty stating that white-collar offenders could not be seen to be dealt with any differently to anyone else.

McCarthy, who pleaded guilty, appealed against the severity of penalties imposed. A bond of €10,000 was fixed.