Ireland Laois farmer convicted of animal cruelty and banned from keeping dogs and cats
John Dempsey, a farmer from Strahard, Mountmellick, Co Laois, was the subject of an ISPCA inspection at his property on July 28, 2022, and was served an Animal Health and Welfare Notice on September 5, 2022. A Shepherd was seized on January 4, 2023, after being found kept in breach of that notice, and on April 5, 2024, a dead sheep was found in a trailer with two lambs suckling from it. Mr Dempsey pleaded guilty at Portlaoise District Court to animal cruelty, failing to comply with the notice and failing to dispose of a bovine carcass, and was convicted on a Monday. The latest reported development, in an April 11, 2024 report, is that he received a five-year ban on keeping dogs or cats, a suspended three-month prison sentence, a €2,500 fine and costs of €3,233.16.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced11 Apr
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A farmer was convicted of animal cruelty after lambs were found suckling on a dead sheep and dogs were found living in poor conditions.
- Where
- The farmer, John Dempsey, is from Strahard, Mountmellick, Co Laois.
- When
- An ISPCA inspector visited Mr Dempsey's property on July 28, 2022.
- On January 4, 2023, a Shepherd was found being kept in breach of the notice and was seized.
- On April 5, 2024, a dead sheep was found in a trailer with two lambs attempting to suckle from it.
- He was convicted of animal cruelty on a Monday, as reported on April 11, 2024.
- Investigation
- An Animal Health and Welfare Notice was served on Mr Dempsey on September 5, 2022.
- Other details
- Dogs were found living in unsuitable conditions in sheds and a trailer, and two pregnant female dogs were found to be extremely underweight.
- A decomposing cow was found behind a shed.
- Charges
- Mr Dempsey was charged with animal cruelty offences, failing to comply with an animal health and welfare notice, and failing to dispose of a bovine carcass.
- In court
- Mr Dempsey appeared before Judge Nicola Andrews at Portlaoise District Court and pleaded guilty to all charges.
- Sentence
- The court banned him from keeping dogs or cats for five years.
- A three-month prison sentence was suspended for 24 months, he was fined €2,500, and he was ordered to pay costs of €3,233.16.
15 statements extracted from the articles
- whereThe farmer is from Strahard, Mountmellick, Co Laois. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenHe was convicted of animal cruelty on a Monday. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenOn January 4, 2023, a German Shepherd was found being kept in breach of the notice, and it was seized. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenOn April 5, 2024, a dead sheep was found in a trailer with two lambs attempting to suckle from it. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationAn ISPCA inspector gave evidence about his visit to the property on July 28, 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationAn Animal Health and Welfare Notice was served on September 5, 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeHe was before the court in relation to animal cruelty offences, failing to comply with an animal health and welfare notice, and failing to dispose of a bovine carcass. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtHe pleaded guilty to all charges. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThe court imposed a disqualification order banning him from keeping dogs or cats for five years. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceA three-month prison sentence was suspended for 24 months. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceHe was fined €2,500. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceHe was ordered to pay costs of €3,233.16. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherDogs were found living in unsuitable conditions in sheds and a trailer. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherTwo female dogs were found to be extremely underweight although pregnant. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherA decomposing cow was found behind sheds. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 11 Apr2024Farmer convicted of animal cruelty after lambs found suckling on dead sheep
First report of this case; no existing case matches. The article gives no single incident date: it describes inspections on July 28, 2022, January 4, 2023 and April 5, 2024, and says the conviction was on Monday.
convicted, John Dempsey, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Dempsey