Jury expected to be chosen in case of farmer accused of animal cruelty
Roscommon Courthouse. A jury is to be selected for the trial of a farmer who is facing a large number of animal cruelty charges. Pic: Gerard O'Loughlin
A jury is to be selected for the trial, at Roscommon Circuit Court, of a farmer who is facing a large number of animal cruelty charges.
Sean Coughlan, with an address at Lahardane, Ballina, County Mayo, and Coughlan Farming Ltd, for which Mr Coughlan is a sole director, are due to go on trial this month for a combined total of 78 charges connected to the welfare of animals on a farm at Laragan, Elphin.
A jury was previously selected, however, as Mr Coughlan did not have legal representation and felt he was not qualified to represent himself, the jury was discharged and he was given an opportunity to secure a solicitor.
The charges against him and the company for which he is director, relate to allegations from the Department of Agriculture that up to 500 calves had died on the farm between 2023 and 2025.
He will reappear on Friday, November 6th, when a jury is expected to be empaneled.
