Cork farmer who neglected calves told to sell cattle or forfeit herd

A Cork farmer who was convicted in 2024 of neglect under the Animal Health and Welfare Act has been given three weeks to sell his cattle or face the compulsory forfeiture of his herd.

Ger Canty, aged 67, of Farnalough, Newcestown, Bandon, appeared before Judge Joanne Carroll at Bandon District Court.

Meg Burke BL, counsel for the Department of Agriculture, said that the case had come before the court on six occasions since February 2023.

Judge Carroll said that a previous proposal that Canty’s nephew would lease the farm had not transpired, adding that Canty had “come to his senses” and the farmer had consented to a forfeiture order under Section 61 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.

Bandon District Court was told that Canty had agreed to sell his entire herd of 114 animals, and that he would be allowed to keep the proceeds of the sale.

Bandon District Court was further told that if Canty did not do so by an agreed date, then the Department of Agriculture would seize and detain or sell the animals and Canty would be liable for their costs in doing so.

Defence solicitor David O’Meara said that it was “hugely traumatic” for the Bandon farmer to have to give up the farm.

Mr O’Meara said that the arrangement with his nephew to lease the farm had “fallen through at the last minute”, and he accepted that the “patience of the court and the department are at the end of the track”.

Judge Carroll said that retirement was not easy for anyone.

She adjourned the matter to July 11, 2025, by which time Canty was expected to have sold the herd.

Judge Carroll said that Canty could also expect a “positive outcome” regarding a five-month suspended sentence relating to the case if he complied with the forfeiture order.

In 2022, a veterinary inspection discovered some 17 dead calves in various stages of decomposition at Canty’s farm.

Some of them had been scavenged by dogs.

Sheds were described as dirty and in poor condition, and there was no clean bedding available for the live calves — which were untagged and “running around” the farm in Bandon.

Canty was instructed to dispose of the animals and to sell the remainder at the earliest opportunity but, on a subsequent visit in February 2023, the inspector found another six dead and decomposing animals at the farm.

• This article is funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.