Four men appear in Kilkenny court over horse meat investigation

Four men have appeared before Kilkenny District court charged in connection with an ongoing Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation probe into organised deception and fraudulent practices relating to the tampering of identification passports and microchips of horses presented for slaughter.

Garda Brian Dunne of the GNBCI told the court that he had arrested and charged one of the accused men, James Derwin.

Mr Derwin, Auburn, Dublin Road, Athlone, Co Westmeath is accused of conspiracy to defraud contrary to common law, deception, possession of a false instrument, using a false instrument and the breach of an EU directive in relation to the regulation of the equine industry. The offences are alleged to have taken place on dates between January 2017 and June 2019 at Emerald Isle Limited, Thomastown, Co Kilkenny. 

It is alleged that the four men conspired to defraud Emerald Isle Foods Limited through a scheme to alter the identity of horses contrary to common law.

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The garda told the court that he had no objection to bail on the condition that the accused would not associate with any of the co-accused, James Mee, Derek Nolan, Philip O'Neill and another named person who was not before the court.

The court heard that the DPP had directed trial on indictment. Judge Geraldine Carthy remanded the defendant on bail on his own bond of €10,000, on the condition he does not associate directly or indirectly with the co-accused men and another named man, to appear before Kilkenny District Court on March 27, 2023 for the service of a book of evidence.

Detective Sergeant Michelle Gillick of the GNBCI gave evidence that she had arrested and charged James Mee, Drumnore, Clonee, Co Leitrim with conspiracy to defraud contrary to common law and of deception on dates between December 2017 and June 2019 at Emerald Isle Limited, Thomastown. 

The sergeant told the court that he had no objection to bail on the condition that the accused would not associate with any of the co-accused and another named person who was not before the court.

The court heard that the DPP had directed trial on indictment. Judge Geraldine Carthy remanded the defendant on bail on his own bond of €10,000, on the condition he does not associate directly or indirectly with the co-accused men and another named man, to appear before Kilkenny District Court on March 27, 2023 for the service of a book of evidence.

The sergeant also gave evidence that she had arrested and charged Derek Nolan of Lisduff, Mount Talbot, Roscommon Co Roscommon with conspiracy to defraud contrary to common law, possession of a false instrument and the breach of an EU regulation in relation to the regulation of the equine industry.

The court heard that the DPP had directed trial on indictment. Judge Geraldine Carthy remanded the defendant on bail on his own bond of €10,000, on the condition he does not associate directly or indirectly with the co-accused men and another named man, to appear before Kilkenny District Court on March 27, 2023 for the service of a book of evidence.

Detective Garda Michelle Keogan of the GNBCI gave evidence of arresting and charging Philip O'Neill, Leam, Boyle, Co Roscommon with conspiracy to defraud, deception, possession of a false instrument, the use of a false instrument and the breach of an EU regulation in relation to the regulation of the equine industry.

 The court heard that the DPP had directed trial on indictment. Judge Geraldine Carthy remanded the defendant on bail on his own bond of €10,000, on the condition he does not associate directly or indirectly with the co-accused men and another named man, to appear before Kilkenny District Court on March 27, 2023 for the service of a book of evidence.