Limerick businessman avoids jail over 'horrendous' animal cruelty case
BUSINESSMAN Richard Smith has avoided a jail sentence for animal cruelty offences after Limerick Circuit Court was told he is no longer involved in farming.
Mr Smith, 49, of Lemonfield, Crecora, was sentenced to four months in prison in January 2009 after he pleaded guilty to charges relating to what was described as "one of the most horrendous" cases of animal cruelty to ever come before Limerick District Court.
Mr Smith, who secured 173 first preference votes in last year's local elections in the Adare electoral area, pleaded guilty to three charges relating to the discovery of a number of dead calves and two malnourished cattle on his farm in March 2008.
Judge Tom O'Donnell heard evidence that a cow had been dragged with a rope to an outlying area of the farm and that a number of dead carcasses and two "very, very thin and malnourished" animals were found when gardai inspected the farm.
The judge said that aspects of the case were "utterly awful" and he said it was clear the animals had suffered as a result of the "deliberate and appalling conduct" of Mr Smith.
During an appeal against the severity of the sentence, which was heard a year ago, Mr Smith who runs Richie Tyres on the Kilmallock Road, gave an undertaking not to keep or breed animals on his Crecora farm during between November and March each year.
The appeal was adjourned for a year but last July Mr Smith told the Limerick Leader he had decided to put the 70 acre farm up for sale and to "move on in life".
When the appeal came before Limerick Circuit Court for review this Tuesday Michael Murray, state solicitor, said a total of 73 animals at the farm had been destroyed but he said the defendant had complied with his undertakings and that he was no longer involved in farming. "He has ceased all farming, he has no animals at this stage," he told the court.
Judge Carroll Moran said he was "glad" that Mr Smith was no longer involved in farming but he said the offences were still "very serious".
He suspended the four month prison sentence for six months on condition that Mr Smith does not re-offend.
The judge ordered that Mr Smith should still pay the €2,500 fine which was imposed on him at Limerick District Court and the defendant was ordered to pay €1,000 towards the expenses of the LSPCA.
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