Farmer jailed for cruelty and neglect of his animals
A FARMER was jailed for one month yesterday for a shocking catalogue of neglect and cruelty to animals on his farm.
Kenneth Coombes (43) was warned about his future behaviour as Animal Welfare Society official, Della Murray, described the treatment of pigs, horses, dogs, sheep and ducks on his West Cork farm as "absolutely shocking".
Coombes was jailed for one month - and also received a six-month suspended term before Bantry District Court yesterday.
Judge James McNulty said he was suspending the six-month prison term on condition that Coombes co-operate with a psychiatric assessment, dispose of all animals on his farm and agree not to own or care for any animals for three years.
"He must not own any animal - not a dog, not a budgie. It is clear to me that this man has not made the journey from childhood to adulthood," Judge McNulty said. "There is clearly retarded development here," he added.
The judge also warned that anyone hiring or working with Kenneth Coombes must be aware of his cruelty convictions for animals - and only allow him contact with animals under strict supervision.
Coombes of The Carrig, Lurriga, Skibbereen, Co Cork had pleaded guilty to a total of 22 offences before Judge James McNulty last November.
They included allowing a livestock carcass to remain unburied on the front lawn of a dwelling house; allowing sheep and pigs to wander untended on the roads and ill-treating pigs through keeping them in a car trailer where there was insufficient room for them to lie down.
The offences all relate to dates in November 2005 and June 2006.
Judge McNulty had allowed Coombes nine months to reduce livestock numbers on his holding - and to address serious environmental issues such as dumping and rat infestations.
However, Judge McNulty remanded Coombes in custody last Tuesday after warning that his progress in addressing livestock problems on his farm was not fast enough.
The Department of Agriculture are now organising the care of the 12 pigs and 86 sheep remaining on the property. Defence solicitor, Ray Hennessy, said that Kenneth Coombes's parents had run a model farm - but the holding had declined once their son took it over.
Mr Hennessy said that his client suffered from depression, stunted development and was socially isolated.
He said the incidents arose because the defendant simply couldn't cope.
The court heard that Coombes had been advised to sell the farm but had refused to listen.
The defendant's mother addressed the court and said Kenneth - who is an only child - suffered from personal problems.
The court was told by Supt Liam Horgan that Coombes has a number of previous convictions for cruelty to animals dating back 15 years.
- Ralph Riegel
