Five handed down suspended sentences for animal cruelty - Kilkenny Live

Five people who pleaded guilty to charges of animal cruelty and neglect of animals at the Wetlands Halting Site in Kilkenny have been handed down suspended prison sentences on the condition that they made donation to a dog rescue.

John Carthy, 6 St Catherine’s, Wetlands , Kilkenny pleaded guilty to two offences contrary to section 11 and 12 of The Animal Health and Welfare Act at House 6, St Catherine’s, Wetlands, Kilkenny on February 24, 2021.

Mary Carthy, House 6, St Catherine’s, Wetlands, Kilkenny pleaded guilty to two offences under section 11 of the act and two offences under section 12 at House 6, St Catherine’s, Wetlands, Kilkenny on February 24.

Mary Carthy, Bay 7, Wetlands Halting Site pleaded guilty to six offences of animal cruelty and a further six counts of neglect at Bay 7, Wetlands, Kilkenny on February 24, 2021.

Thomas Carthy, 13 Connolly Street, The Butts, Kilkenny pleaded guilty to two counts of animal cruelty and a further two counts of neglect at House 6, St Catherine’s on February 24, 2021.

Katie Doran, 52 St Kieran’s Crescent, Kilkenny pleaded guilty to one offence of animal cruelty and one of neglect at Bay 7, St Catherine’s, Wetlands, Kilkenny.

All five defendants were handed down six months prison sentences which were suspended on the condition that they made a donation to Cara Rescue Dogs Limited.

At an earlier court hearing last May the five were ordered to pay €3,000 and matters were adjourned to last Tuesday but all five defendants failed to raise the amount.

On that date the court heard that the offences were at the ‘upper level’ of neglect and the dogs in question were particularly poorly looked after.

Solicitor Chris Hogan outlined how his clients were on social welfare and that it was ‘unachievable’ for them to raise the amount and outlined how they had brought lesser amounts to court.

“From speaking with the defendants they have been saving from the last court appearance, the court will appreciate that people are suffering at the moment, especially from utility bills,” he said.

Judge Geraldine Carthy convicted and sentenced all five defendants to six months on prison which was suspended for a period of 18 months. When sentencing four of the five defendants - John and Mary Carthy, Katie Doran and Thomas Carthy the judge directed that each of them were to pay €1,000 each to Cara Rescue Dogs Limited within eight months.

In relation to Mary Carthy, Bay 7, St Catherine’s Halting Site, Wetlands, Kilkenny the judge also imposed a six month sentence, which was suspended for 18 months and directed that she pay a donation of €1300 to Cara Dogs Rescue Limited within eight months.

Recognisances in respect of all five defendants was set on a bond of €300.