Pig farmer jailed for 18 months in connection with animal cruelty

One of the country's biggest pig producers has been jailed for 18 months for what the judge in the case has called "cruelty on an industrial scale".

60-year-old Rory O'Brien pleaded guilty to five charges relating to his treatment of his animals.

He was accused of failing to prevent the unnecessary suffering of some animals - which were eaten alive by others.

The trial had heard evidence from inspectors of horrific animal neglect and cruelty at O'Brien's piggery near Mitchelstown during 2011.