Fifth man appears in Kilkenny Court over horse meat investigation

A fifth man has appeared before Kilkenny District Court charged in relation to organised deception and fraudulent practices relating to the tampering of identification passports and microchips of horses presented for slaughter.

Damien McKeown, Killapogue, Croghan, Boyle, Roscommon is charged with conspiracy to defraud contrary to common law and of possession of a false instrument at Emerald Isle Foods in Thomastown on dates between January 1, 2017 and June 30, 2019.

Detective Garda Tara Smith of the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation told the court that she had arrested the defendant and charged him earlier today.

The Director of Public Prosections has directed trial on indictment.

Four men appear in Kilkenny court over horse meat investigation

The defendant was granted bail on condition that he does not associate with James Mee, James Derwin, Derek Nolan and Philip O’Neill. Judge John Brennan remanded the defendant on his own bond of €300 to Kilkenny District Court on March 27 for the service of a book of evidence.

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