ONE of the heaviest sentences for animal drugs offences has been handed down at a special sitting of Athlone District Court, where a Tipperary farmer was given a six month prison sentence and fined £12,000.
Ronald Armitage of Uskane, Borrisokane, Co Tipperary, described as "a substantial beef farmer" with more than 200 acres, yesterday admitted 12 summonses relating to possession of illegal hormones and angel dust, covering a two year period from September 1993.
Judge Mary Fahy described the case as one of the worst she had come across. The fact the offences had taken place over such a long period was "shocking in the extreme". She could only surmise that Armitage's reason for carrying on his activities for so long was greed. He had shown total recklessness regarding the effects his actions would have on other people. She allowed him bail totalling £15,000 pending an appeal.
Four other farmers, including two Roscommon brothers and a company director, were fined a total of £17,000 when they pleaded guilty to animal drugs charges.
The court cases yesterday were part of an ongoing series of prosecutions against more than 100 alleged animal drug offenders which were delayed by a Supreme Court challenge by a meat company owner and farmer, Frank Mallon, Balrath House, Kells, Co Meath. He pleaded guilty to a series of offences at Navan District Court two weeks ago.
Further special sittings of district courts to deal with the backlog of cases, going back to 1992, will be held in Kilcock, Co Kildare, and Nenagh, Co Tipperary, within the next few weeks.