A Co Laois farmer charged with possessing illegal growth promoters changed his plea on one of the charges at Portlaoise District Court yesterday.
Arthur Broomfield (53), of Upper Irey, Ballyfin, was charged with having two 1kg packets of powder containing clenbuterol ("angel dust") and a syringe containing four unauthorised substances on December 4th, 1992.
Adjourning the case to June 20th, Judge Terence Finn requested a report on the suitability of the defendant for 120 hours of community service. He said that Broomfield would serve six months' imprisonment in lieu and he fined him £800.
Earlier Mr Noel Egan, a solicitor, told the court that he was representing Broomfield, who had previously represented himself. The defendant was now pleading guilty to possessing the syringe, he said.
Striking out the other charge of possessing clenbuterol, Judge Finn said that the public was at the losing end of the use of illegal substances, which he could only conclude were purely for the purpose of maximising profits.
Det Sgt Michael Drew told the court that he had been a member of the anti racketeering unit in December 1992. He understood Broomfield had been buying large quantities of foodstuffs and mixing these with illegal growth promoters. The foodstuffs were then sold to farmers.
Garda Patrick Allen said that on February 2nd, 1992, the defendant told him he wanted the case dropped and claimed that the substances had been planted on his farm.
Broomfield said that he could not recall asking the garda to drop the charges. He said he might have said. "I would like to see you drop it."