Mayo farmer fined for allowing dogs to worry neighbour's sheep

A FINE of €500 has been imposed on a farmer found guilty at Castlebar District Court of a charge of his dogs worrying his neighbour’s sheep.

Paul Hanbury (51) of Killadeer, Ballyheane, pleaded guilty to allowing his dogs to worry sheep on neighbouring land at Killadeer, Ballyheane, on October 23, 2022.

Garda Christopher Perret told the court that he received a report from Peter Keane that two collie dogs belonging to the defendant had been running around his field and worrying his flock.

He explained there were 120 ewes and five rams in the field and they were breeding at the time.

Mr. Gary Mulchrone, solicitor for Hanbury, said there were no injuries reported to any of the flock and the defendant was a suckler farmer himself and the collies were working dogs.

Judge Sandra Murphy fined Hanbury €500 and ordered him to pay €200 in witness expenses.

* Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.