Four men appear in court over horse meat investigation

Four men have appeared in court in connection with an investigation into fraudulent practices around horses presented for slaughter.

The accused appeared before Kilkenny District Court charged in connection with an ongoing investigation 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 Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI) told the court that he arrested James Derwin, of Auburn, Dublin Road, Athlone, Co Westmeath, on charges of conspiracy to defraud, 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 December 2017 and June 2019 at Emerald Isle Limited, Thomastown, Co Kilkenny.

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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.

Detective Sergeant Michelle Gillick gave evidence that she had arrested and charged James Mee of 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.

Det Gillick also gave evidence that she had arrested and charged Derek Nolan of Lisduff, Mount Talbot, 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.

Det Gda Michelle Keogan gave evidence of arresting and charging Philip O’Neill from 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.

Judge Geraldine Carthy remanded all four on bail on their own bonds of €10,000 on the condition they do not associate with one another and another named person who was not before the court.

They will appear again before Kilkenny District Court on March 27th, 2023.