Sunday 1 November 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 to Kilkenny Circuit Court on horse fraud charges

Five men – James Derwin, James Mee, Derek Nolan, Philip O'Neill and Damien McKeown – are alleged to have conspired to defraud Emerald Isle Foods Limited in Thomastown, County Kilkenny, by tampering with identification passports and microchips of horses presented for slaughter between January 2017 and June 2019. Four of the men were arrested and charged on 23 January 2023, and McKeown was charged on 7 February 2023, following a three-year joint investigation by the GNBCI, DAFM and FSAI. All five appeared before Kilkenny District Court, where the DPP directed trial on indictment and they were remanded on bail with a condition not to associate with one another. On 24 April 2023 the men were served with a book of evidence and sent forward to Kilkenny Circuit Court, with a sitting set for 2 May 2023.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Charged23 Jan
  4. In court23 Jan
    7 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Five men are alleged to have conspired to defraud Emerald Isle Foods Limited by tampering with identification passports and microchips of horses presented for slaughter.
Where
The offences are alleged to have taken place at Emerald Isle Foods Limited, Thomastown, County Kilkenny, at Dublin Road, Athlone, and at Mount Talbot, Athleague, County Roscommon.
When
The offences are alleged to have taken place between January 2017 and June 2019, with some sources giving the start as December 2017.
Investigation
The case was a three-year joint investigation (Operation Lanyard) carried out by the GNBCI supported by DAFM and FSAI.
Charges
  • James Derwin faces 12 charges including conspiracy to defraud, deception, possession and use of a false instrument, and breach of an EU directive.
  • James Mee faces two charges including conspiracy to defraud and deception.
  • Derek Nolan faces three charges including conspiracy to defraud, possession of a false instrument, and breach of an EU regulation.
  • Philip O'Neill faces nine charges including conspiracy to defraud, deception, possession and use of a false instrument, and breach of an EU regulation.
  • Damien McKeown faces charges of conspiracy to defraud and possession of a false instrument.
In court
  • Four men appeared before Kilkenny District Court on 23 January 2023 and McKeown on 7 February 2023, where the DPP directed trial on indictment for all five.
  • On 24 April 2023 the five men were served with a book of evidence at Kilkenny District Court and sent forward to Kilkenny Circuit Court with a sitting on 2 May 2023.
Sentence
The four men were remanded on bail on their own bonds of €10,000 and McKeown on a bond of €300, with a condition that they not associate with one another.
Other details
One accused is in his 30s, one in his 40s, and two in their 50s.
75 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe fraud involves tampering with identification passports and microchips of horses presented for slaughter (garda.ie)
  • whatOne man is in his 30s, one in his 40s, and two in their 50s (garda.ie)
  • whatThe four men are alleged to have conspired to defraud Emerald Isle Foods Limited through a scheme to alter the identity of horses. (rte.ie, leitrimobserver.ie)
  • whatThe four men are alleged to have conspired to defraud Emerald Isle Foods Limited by altering the identity of horses. (irishtimes.com, kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whatIt is alleged the defendant and four other men conspired to defraud Emerald Isle Foods Limited by altering the identity of horses (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whatIt is alleged the defendant along with four other men conspired to defraud Emerald Isle Foods Limited through a scheme to alter the identity of horses. (rte.ie)
  • whatIt is alleged the five men conspired to defraud Emerald Isle Foods Limited by altering the identity of horses. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whereJames Derwin is from Auburn, Dublin Road, Athlone, County Westmeath. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe offences took place at Emerald Isle Limited, Thomastown, County Kilkenny. (rte.ie)
  • whereJames Mee is from Drumnore, Clonee, County Leitrim. (rte.ie)
  • whereDerek Nolan is from Lisduff, Mount Talbot, County Roscommon. (rte.ie)
  • wherePhilip O'Neill is from Leam, Boyle, County Roscommon. (rte.ie)
  • whereDamien McKeown is from Killapogue, Croghan, Boyle, Roscommon (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whereThe charges relate to Emerald Isle Foods in Thomastown. (rte.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)
  • whenFour men were arrested and charged on 23 January 2023 (garda.ie)
  • whenThe offences are alleged to have taken place between December 2017 and June 2019. (rte.ie)
  • whenThe offences are alleged to have taken place between December 2017 and June 2019 at Emerald Isle Limited, Thomastown, Co Kilkenny. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe offences against Derwin are alleged to have taken place between January 2017 and June 2019 at Emerald Isle Limited, Thomastown, Co Kilkenny. (kilkennypeople.ie, leitrimobserver.ie)
  • whenThe alleged offences occurred between 1 January 2017 and 30 June 2019 (kilkennypeople.ie, rte.ie)
  • whenThe alleged offences took place between January 2017 and June 2019. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • investigationThe investigation was a three-year joint investigation (garda.ie)
  • investigationThe investigation was carried out by the GNBCI supported by DAFM and FSAI (garda.ie)
  • investigationGarda Brian Dunne of the GNBCI told the court he had arrested and charged James Derwin. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • investigationGarda Brian Dunne of the GNBCI arrested and charged James Derwin. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • investigationDetective Sergeant Michelle Gillick of the GNBCI arrested and charged James Mee of Drumnore, Clonee, Co Leitrim. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • investigationDetective Garda Tara Smith of the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation told the court she had arrested and charged the defendant (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • investigationDetective Garda Tara Smith of the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation arrested and charged the defendant. (rte.ie)
  • chargeThe charges relate to organised deception and fraudulent practices (garda.ie)
  • chargeDerwin is accused of conspiracy to defraud, deception, possession of a false instrument, using a false instrument, and breach of an EU directive relating to the equine industry. (rte.ie)
  • chargeMee was charged with conspiracy to defraud and deception. (rte.ie)
  • chargeNolan was charged with conspiracy to defraud, possession of a false instrument, and breach of an EU regulation relating to the equine industry. (rte.ie)
  • chargeO'Neill was charged with conspiracy to defraud, deception, possession of a false instrument, use of a false instrument, and breach of an EU regulation relating to the equine industry. (rte.ie)
  • chargeJames Derwin of Athlone, Co Westmeath, was charged with conspiracy to defraud, deception, possession of a false instrument, using a false instrument and breach of an EU directive. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeJames Mee of Clonee, Co Leitrim, was charged with conspiracy to defraud and deception. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeDerek Nolan of Mount Talbot, Co Roscommon, was charged with conspiracy to defraud, possession of a false instrument and breach of an EU regulation. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeJames Derwin of Auburn, Dublin Road, Athlone, Co Westmeath was charged with conspiracy to defraud, deception, possession of a false instrument, using a false instrument, and breach of an EU directive. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • chargeJames Mee of Drumnore, Clonee, Co Leitrim was charged with conspiracy to defraud and deception between December 2017 and June 2019. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • chargeDerek Nolan of Lisduff, Mount Talbot, Roscommon, Co Roscommon was charged with conspiracy to defraud, possession of a false instrument, and breach of an EU regulation. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • chargePhilip O'Neill of Leam, Boyle, Co Roscommon was charged with conspiracy to defraud, deception, possession of a false instrument, use of a false instrument, and breach of an EU regulation. (kilkennypeople.ie, leitrimobserver.ie)
  • chargeJames Derwin of Auburn, Dublin Road, Athlone, Co Westmeath was accused of conspiracy to defraud, deception, possession of a false instrument, using a false instrument and breach of an EU directive. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • chargeDerek Nolan of Lisduff, Mount Talbot, Co Roscommon was charged with conspiracy to defraud, possession of a false instrument and breach of an EU regulation. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • chargeHe is charged with conspiracy to defraud contrary to common law (kilkennypeople.ie, rte.ie)
  • chargeHe is charged with possession of a false instrument at Emerald Isle Foods in Thomastown (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • chargeHe is charged with possession of a false instrument. (rte.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 four men are expected to appear before Kilkenny District Court on 23 January 2023 at 10:30am (garda.ie)
  • courtFour men appeared before Kilkenny District Court charged in connection with an ongoing garda investigation into organised deception and fraudulent practices relating to tampering of horse identification passports and microchips. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe DPP directed trial on indictment for all four men. (rte.ie)
  • courtJudge Geraldine Carthy remanded the defendants on bail on their own bond of €10,000. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe defendants must not associate directly or indirectly with the co-accused men and another named man. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe defendants are to appear before Kilkenny District Court on 27 March 2023 for the service of a book of evidence. (rte.ie)
  • courtFour men appeared before Kilkenny District Court charged in connection with an investigation into fraudulent practices relating to horse identification. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge Geraldine Carthy remanded all four on bail on their own bonds of €10,000 with a condition that they not associate with one another or a named person. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe four men are due to appear again before Kilkenny District Court on 27 March 2023. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtFour men appeared before Kilkenny District Court charged in connection with a GNBCI probe. (kilkennypeople.ie, leitrimobserver.ie)
  • courtThe DPP directed trial on indictment. (kilkennypeople.ie, leitrimobserver.ie)
  • courtThe next court date is 27 March 2023 for service of a book of evidence. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • courtJudge John Brennan remanded the defendant on his own bond of €300 to Kilkenny District Court on 27 March for service of a book of evidence (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • courtDamien McKeown appeared before Kilkenny District Court on 7 February 2023. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe Director of Public Prosecutions directed trial on indictment. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe defendant was granted bail on condition he does not associate with James Mee, James Derwin, Derek Nolan and Philip O'Neill. (rte.ie)
  • courtJudge John Brennan remanded the defendant on his own bond of €300 to Kilkenny District Court on 27 March for the service of a book of evidence. (rte.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)
  • sentenceJudge Geraldine Carthy remanded the defendant on bail on his own bond of €10,000. (kilkennypeople.ie, leitrimobserver.ie)
  • otherThe bail condition required the accused not to associate with co-accused and another named person not before the court. (kilkennypeople.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 2 May2023
    In courtkilkennypeople.ie, follow-up
    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
  2. 7 Feb2023
    In courtrte.ie, follow-up
    Fifth man charged in horse ID tampering investigation

    Reports the charging and first court appearance of Damien McKeown, the fifth man in the horse passport tampering case, at Kilkenny District Court on 7 February 2023, including his remand and bail conditions.

    accused, Damien McKeown, male, named, irish (judged from name)Damien McKeownaccused, James Mee, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Meeaccused, James Derwin, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Derwinaccused, Derek Nolan, male, named, irish (judged from name)Derek Nolanaccused, Philip O'Neill, male, named, irish (judged from name)Philip O'Neill
  3. 7 Feb2023
    In courtkilkennypeople.ie, follow-up
    Fifth man appears in Kilkenny Court over horse meat investigation

    Reports the fifth defendant, Damien McKeown, appearing at Kilkenny District Court on 7 February 2023, being charged with conspiracy to defraud and possession of a false instrument, and being remanded on his own bond of €300 to return on 27 March 2023 for service of a book of evidence. The DPP directed trial on indictment.

    accused, Damien McKeown, male, named, irish (judged from name)Damien McKeownaccused, James Mee, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Meeaccused, James Derwin, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Derwinaccused, Derek Nolan, male, named, irish (judged from name)Derek Nolanaccused, Philip O'Neill, male, named, irish (judged from name)Philip O'Neill
  4. 27 Jan2023
    In courtleitrimobserver.ie, its first report
    Four men appear in Kilkenny court over horse meat investigation

    Reports the initial court appearances of four of the five accused at Kilkenny District Court on 27 January 2023, where they were charged, the DPP directed trial on indictment, and they were remanded on bail with conditions not to associate with co-accused.

    accused, James Derwin, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Derwinaccused, James Mee, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Meeaccused, Derek Nolan, male, named, irish (judged from name)Derek Nolanaccused, Philip O'Neill, male, named, irish (judged from name)Philip O'Neill
  5. 24 Jan2023
    In courtkilkennypeople.ie, its first report
    Four men appear in Kilkenny court over horse meat investigation

    Confirms the DPP directed trial on indictment for four of the five accused; provides addresses, specific charges per defendant, bail conditions (€10,000 own bond, no association with co-accused and a named person), and the next court date of 27 March 2023 for service of a book of evidence. The fifth accused, Damien McKeown, is referenced as 'another named person who was not before the court.'

    accused, James Derwin, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Derwinaccused, James Mee, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Meeaccused, Derek Nolan, male, named, irish (judged from name)Derek Nolanaccused, Philip O'Neill, male, named, irish (judged from name)Philip O'Neill
  6. 23 Jan2023
    In courtirishtimes.com, its first report
    Four men appear in court over horse meat investigation

    Details the initial court appearance of four of the five accused, their individual charges, the arresting officers, and the bail conditions imposed by Judge Geraldine Carthy, with a next appearance set for 27 March 2023.

    accused, James Derwin, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Derwinaccused, James Mee, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Meeaccused, Derek Nolan, male, named, irish (judged from name)Derek Nolanaccused, Philip O'Neill, male, named, irish (judged from name)Philip O'Neill
  7. 23 Jan2023
    In courtrte.ie, its first report
    Four in court over alleged tampering of ID for horses

    Reports the 23 January 2023 court appearance of four of the five accused at Kilkenny District Court. The DPP directed trial on indictment for all four. Judge Geraldine Carthy remanded them on bail of €10,000 each, with a condition not to associate with co-accused, to appear on 27 March 2023 for service of a book of evidence. The fifth accused was not before the court.

    accused, James Derwin, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Derwinaccused, James Mee, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Meeaccused, Derek Nolan, male, named, irish (judged from name)Derek Nolanaccused, Philip O'Neill, male, named, irish (judged from name)Philip O'Neillaccused, male
  8. 23 Jan2023
    Chargedgarda.ie, first report
    Operation Lanyard – Four Men Arrested and Charged as Part of Ongoing GNBCI Investigation, Monday 23rd January 2023

    GNBCI press release announcing the arrest and charging of four men in Operation Lanyard, a three-year joint investigation with DAFM and FSAI into organised deception involving horse identification passports and microchips.

    suspect, 30s, malesuspect, 40s, malesuspect, 50s, malesuspect, 50s, male