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. 18358Breach of animal keeping disqualification order · Co. Donegal

Letterkenny farmer charged with keeping animals in breach of ten-year ban

Leslie Stewart, a 75-year-old farmer from The Thorn outside Letterkenny, County Donegal, is charged with keeping, controlling or handling a collie dog, a sheep and two lambs on separate occasions in October 2022 and April 2023. The charges are brought under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 and concern a ten-year ban on keeping animals that a judge imposed in September 2022. Stewart had earlier served a two-year ban and received a suspended jail sentence imposed by Judge Paul Kelly in 2016. He was due to be sentenced at Letterkenny District Court in February 2024, but the matter was put back to June 4 for finalisation by Judge Éiteáin Cunningham.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court8 Feb
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Leslie Stewart is accused of handling or controlling a dog and sheep despite a court order banning him from keeping animals.
Where
The farm is at The Thorn, outside Letterkenny, County Donegal.
When
The alleged offences occurred on separate occasions in October 2022 and April 2023.
Cause
The alleged conduct breached a ten-year ban on keeping animals imposed in September 2022.
Investigation
Animal welfare officers called to Stewart's farm at The Thorn, outside Letterkenny.
Charges
  • Stewart is charged with keeping, controlling or handling a collie dog, a sheep and two lambs.
  • The charges are brought under section 58(8) of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.
In court
  • Stewart was due to be sentenced at Letterkenny District Court in the week of the report in February 2024.
  • The matter was put back to June 4 for finalisation by Judge Éiteáin Cunningham.
Sentence
In September 2022 a judge banned Stewart from keeping animals for ten years.
Other details
  • Stewart had earlier served a two-year ban and received a suspended jail sentence imposed by Judge Paul Kelly in 2016.
  • Stewart is 75 years old.
8 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatLeslie Stewart is accused of handling or controlling a dog and sheep despite a court order banning him from keeping animals. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe animal welfare officers called to Stewart's farm at The Thorn, outside Letterkenny. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeStewart is charged with keeping, controlling or handling a collie dog, and a sheep and two lambs, on separate occasions in October 2022 and April 2023. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeThe charges are under section 58(8) of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtStewart was due to be sentenced at Letterkenny District Court in the week of the report. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe matter was put back to June 4 for finalisation by Judge Éiteáin Cunningham. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceIn September 2022 a judge banned Stewart from keeping animals for ten years. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherStewart had earlier served a two-year ban and received a suspended jail sentence imposed by Judge Paul Kelly in 2016. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 8 Feb2024
    In courtdonegallive.ie, first report
    Donegal farmer banned from keeping animals to be sentenced in June

    First report of this case. It covers the charges against Stewart, the court appearance and the adjourned sentencing date, and gives background on his earlier ban and suspended sentence.

    accused, Leslie Stewart, 75, male, named, irish (judged from name)Leslie Stewart