Ireland’s largest livestock auctioneers has been fined and agreed to pay prosecution costs after pleading guilty to three animal welfare charges.
The case against management at Bandon Mart was heard at Bandon District Court in county Cork today.
The Department of Agriculture launched an investigation following the airing of an RTE Investigates programme in July 2023.
On the 13th of February 2023, a customer at Bandon Mart dragged a calf by the head and tail, while on the 17th of April 2023 at Bandon Mart, an employee of a transport contractor used an ash-type stick to hit calves.
The third charge relates to the design of the loading and unloading facilities at the mart.
The court heard mart management were fully co-operative when interviewed, that remedial action has been carried out and staff have received further training.
Judge Joanne Carroll imposed fines of €4,250 and made an order for costs of €3,500 plus VAT.
