Vet and dog pound owner and staff to face trial on animal cruelty charges
David Stone, the owner of the pound, with an address at Hazelbrook, Loughlinstown, Ratoath, Co Meath, faces three charges under the Animal Health and Welfare Act. Picture: Stephen Collins /Collins Photos
A vet and the owner of a Dublin dog pound along with three staff from the shelter are to face trial on animal cruelty charges.
The prosecution follows a Garda investigation into the treatment and deaths of dogs at Ashton pound, River Road, Castleknock, Dublin 15, in July last year.
It had operated a dog warden service for the greater Dublin area.
Five people were charged at the Bridewell Garda Station in recent weeks and were granted bail. Their cases were listed for the first time at separate sittings of Dublin District Court on Friday.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions on court attendance, they did not have to appear in person, but all five had legal representation present, Judge Brian O’Shea and Judge Conal Gibbons noted.
Veterinarian Sydney Nagle, 62, with an address at the Oaks, Hollystown, Dublin 15, was charged with possessing a controlled drug Release, a pentobarbital sodium, at the dog pound on July 14, 2020, for the purpose of selling or otherwise supplying it to another in contravention of the misuse of drugs regulations and laws.
Mr Nagle, of the Cara Veterinary Hospital in Ballycoolin, Dubln 15, is also accused of causing unnecessary suffering to a male, fawn-coloured akita and a white male bichon frise, at the pound, on July 24 last year, contrary to section 12(1) of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.
He is also charged with causing and permitting another person to kill a protected animal there on the same date.
The vet is also accused of failing to keep records of purchases and sales, quantities administered, batch numbers and serial numbers of prescriptions on July 29, 2020.
He is also has a charge for permitting a person to be in possession of an animal remedy designated for use by a veterinary practitioner only.
David Stone, the owner of the pound, with an address at Hazelbrook, Loughlinstown, Ratoath, Co Meath, faces three charges under the Animal Health and Welfare Act.
He is accused of causing unnecessary suffering to the male, fawn-coloured akita and the white male bichon frise, at the pound, on July 24 last year. Mr Stone is also charged that he killed a protected animal or that he caused or permitted another person to kill a protected animal there on the same date.
Gordon Markey Quinn, 22, from Nangle Court, Windtown, Navan, Co Meath, and Tamara Philips, 23, of Westway Rise, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, and Raymond Connolly, 53, of Cladagh Green, Ballyfermot, Dublin, face the same charges in relation to the akita and the bichon frise, as well as one for causing or permitting the killing of a protected animal on July 24, 2020.
Mr Connolly faces an additional charge for obstructing the investigation officer Garda Aine McQuillan at the dog pound four days later.
Court Garda Sergeant Paul Keane told the court the Director of Public Prosecutions has directed trial on indictment. This means their cases will go before the Circuit Court, which, on conviction, has tougher sentencing powers.
There has been no indication as to how they will plead.
All five were ordered to appear at the district court on September 17 next when they are to be served with books of evidence and sent forward for trial.
Legal aid was granted to Gordon Markey Quinn and Tamara Philips following applications by their solicitors Eoghan O’Sullivan and Niall Walsh.
