Cork publican who obstructed ISPCA inspector jailed

A man who obstructed an ISPCA officer as she was conducting an inspection has been jailed.

Patrick Ring, a publican from Peake in Coachford in Co Cork, had become “irate” when the inspector called to the Dew Drop Inn on foot of an anonymous call, with a judge hearing he told the woman that she would be very sorry, adding he would find out where she lived.

Mr Ring appeared before Judge James McNulty at Skibbereen District Court from custody, having previously declined the option of community service when he last appeared before a court on February 7 last. He had pleaded guilty to the charge under the Animal Health and Welfare Act on January 14 last.

Sgt Tom Mulcahy recited the facts of the case, that a garda received a radio message on June 1 last to attend at the Dew Drop Inn.

The court heard Mr Ring was irate and aggressive towards the ISPCA officer, demanding to know who had called her. 

Despite being asked to desist he had followed her, telling her she was on private property and that she should “go back to her informant”.

The court heard the ISPCA officer had identified herself to Mr Ring and that he appeared to try to interfere with her work van.

Mr Ring had 40 previous convictions and his solicitor, Jack Purcell, told Judge McNulty that his client had pleaded guilty and had acted stupidly on the day.

Mr Purcell said Mr Ring had not appreciated the powers of the ISPCA officer and had not been intending to damage the van but was instead using any interference with the vehicle as a “stalling tactic”.

Mr Purcell also said there had not been any animal welfare issue involving Mr Ring but that the situation “got out of control”.

Judge McNulty said: “It sounds like he lost it.” 

Giving credit for Mr Ring’s guilty plea and what he described as “a bit of an apology”, the judge sentenced him to four months in prison, with two months to be suspended for two years, on a bond of €1,000, no cash required.

Recognisance for an appeal was set at Mr Ring’s own bond of €100 and an independent surety of €1,500, one third in cash.