A court was told yesterday that a greyhound trainer became hostile, abusive and threatening during a search for drugs by Department of Agriculture officers.
Dominic Magnone (53), of Killaculleen, Tournafulla, Co Limerick, was fined £2,700 and given a three-months suspended prison sentence and bound to keep the peace for 12 months at Abbeyfeale District Court.
He pleaded guilty to seven charges of being in possession of prohibited substances under the Animals Remedies Act 1993 at his home on March 6th, 1997. He also admitted obstructing a Department officer in the execution of his duty on the same occasion.
Ms Nuala Butler, prosecuting for the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, told Judge Mary O'Halloran that a team of officers and a Garda searched the defendant's home and outhouse on foot of a warrant. They found certain products.
Mr Brendan Daly, an authorised officer, was in the dwelling house examining a briefcase when Magnone became hostile, abusive and threatening towards him.
He was shouting and thumping the briefcase and had Mr Daly cornered in a bedroom. The accused had to be calmed down with the assistance of officers.
Products sent for analysis were not properly licensed under EU regulations. Most of them were used on greyhounds and dogs, Ms Butler said.
Mr Brian Flaherty, a Department veterinary surgeon who led the search team, said initially Magnone was co-operative and made certain admissions about some of the products. While searching the outhouse he was informed that there was an altercation in the house. He went there and saw Mr Daly trapped behind the bed and Magnone shouting and banging his fist on a briefcase. He was eventually calmed down.
Mr Daly said he found some products in a box and had commenced the search of a briefcase when the defendant came into the room. Magnone started shouting and was waving his hands, saying that he was not entitled to search his briefcase.
Mr Daly said in cross-examination that he was not aware the defendant had asked to be present when the briefcase containing personal items was being examined.
Mr Tony Adams, a veterinary surgeon with the Department, said five of the charges related to anabolic steroids which, while they can be used to treat animals, can also be abused. He added that all veterinary medicines have to be approved for use by the Irish Medicines Board from the point of view of efficiency, safety and quality. None of the products relating to the charges was approved.
Cross-examined by Mr Stephen Daly, defending, Mr Adams said the monetary value of the products was about £100 or even less.
Counsel said his client was living in Ireland for the past six years. He trained greyhounds locally for a number of years and treated dogs. He had no previous convictions. Recognisances of £1,000 were fixed in the event of an appeal.