Saturday 31 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 21291Fraud (conspiracy to defraud and tampering with horse identification) · Co. Kilkenny

Five men sent forward for trial over horse passport tampering charges

Five men, James Derwin, Derek Nolan, James Mee, Philip O'Neill and Damien McKeown, are alleged to have conspired to defraud Emerald Isle Foods Limited by altering the identity of horses. The alleged offences took place between January 2017 and June 2019, at locations including Athlone, Thomastown in Co Kilkenny and Athleague in Co Roscommon. Garda John O'Halloran served a book of evidence on each man, and all five appeared before Kilkenny District Court on 24 April 2023, where Judge Geraldine Carthy remanded each of them on continuing bail of €10,000. The matters were sent forward to the Kilkenny Circuit Court sitting on 2 May 2023.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court2 May
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
The five men are alleged to have conspired to defraud Emerald Isle Foods Limited by altering the identity of horses, through deception and fraudulent practices involving horse identification passports and microchips of horses presented for slaughter.
When
The alleged offences took place between January 2017 and June 2019.
Where
  • The offences alleged against James Derwin took place at Dublin Road, Athlone and at Emerald Isle Foods Limited, Thomastown, Co Kilkenny.
  • One alleged offence against Derek Nolan took place on 6 June 2019 at Mount Talbot, Athleague, Co Roscommon.
Charges
  • James Derwin faces 12 charges, including conspiracy to defraud.
  • Derek Nolan faces three charges.
  • James Mee faces two counts, including a deception offence at Emerald Isle Foods Ltd, Thomastown.
  • Philip O'Neill faces nine charges.
  • Damien McKeown was further charged with possession of a false instrument.
Investigation
Garda John O'Halloran gave evidence that he served a book of evidence on each defendant.
In court
  • The five men appeared before Kilkenny District Court on 24 April 2023.
  • Judge Geraldine Carthy remanded each man on continuing bail on a €10,000 bond, with a bail condition not to associate with one another.
  • The matters were sent forward to the next sitting of Kilkenny Circuit Court on 2 May 2023.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatIt is alleged the five men conspired to defraud Emerald Isle Foods Limited by altering the identity of horses. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whereThe offences alleged against James Derwin took place at Dublin Road, Athlone and at Emerald Isle Foods Limited, Thomastown, Co Kilkenny. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whereOne alleged offence against Derek Nolan took place on 6 June 2019 at Mount Talbot, Athleague, Co Roscommon. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whenThe alleged offences took place between January 2017 and June 2019. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • chargeFive men were served with books of evidence over alleged deception and fraudulent practices involving horse identification. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • chargeJames Derwin faces 12 charges, including conspiracy to defraud. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • chargeDerek Nolan's book of evidence contains three charges. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • chargeJames Mee faces two counts, including a deception offence at Emerald Isle Foods Ltd, Thomastown. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • chargePhilip O'Neill's book of evidence contains nine charges. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • chargeDamien McKeown was further charged with possession of a false instrument. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • courtThe defendants appeared before Kilkenny District Court on April 24. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • courtJudge Geraldine Carthy remanded each of the five men on continuing bail on a bond of €10,000. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • courtThe men were ordered not to associate with one another as a bail condition. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • courtThe matters were sent forward to the next sitting of Kilkenny Circuit Court on May 2. (kilkennypeople.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 2 May2023
    In courtkilkennypeople.ie, first report
    Five men sent forward to Kilkenny Circuit Court on horse tampering charges

    Reports the five defendants' charges, the offence locations and dates, bail terms and the Circuit Court sitting date. The article's dates of 25 April and 2 May 2023 are publication and sitting dates, not incident dates.

    accused, James Derwin, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Derwinaccused, Derek Nolan, male, named, irish (judged from name)Derek Nolanaccused, James Mee, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Meeaccused, Philip O'Neill, male, named, irish (judged from name)Philip O'Neillaccused, Damien McKeown, male, named, irish (judged from name)Damien McKeown