'A very significant animal cruelty case': Limerick farmer faces 173 charges over dead calves

A COUNTY Limerick farmer has pleaded guilty to 173 charges relating to a large number of dead calves following a major investigation.

Seamus Looby, aged 66, of Raheen, Garryspillane, was arraigned before Judge Colin Daly in Limerick Circuit Criminal Court last week.

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Mr Looby pleaded guilty to 67 charges of breaching section 11(1)(a)(i) of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 - duty to protect animal welfare; 68 counts on section 12(1)(a) of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013  - prohibition on animal cruelty; and 27 charges of section 42(9) - failure to comply with an Animal Health and Welfare notice.

The defendant also pleaded guilty to 11 counts of breach of regulation 3(1)(b) of S.I. 187 of 2014 - European Union (Animal By-Products) Regulations 2014  - failure to dispose of dead calf carcasses.

All of the offences are alleged to have occurred at farmlands at Raheen, Garryspillane on dates between March 8, 2022 and September 8, 2022.

It took the court registrar over an hour to put each of the 173 charges to Mr Looby. He was allowed to sit in the dock due to the length of time it would take. Normally, defendants stand up when they are being arraigned.

Mr Looby said “guilty” to each charge apart from saying “not guilty” to one count before quickly correcting himself and saying “guilty”.

Criminal proceedings were initiated following a major investigation which was launched by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine following the discovery of the animals in September 2022.

Prosecuting barrister Lily Buckley, instructed by State solicitor Brendan Gill, said it is “a very significant animal cruelty case”.

“When court hears the case, a feature was that animals were on the farm of the accused but in the profile of another person,” said Ms Buckley.

The barrister said that there should not be animals on Mr Looby’s land and asked for an undertaking that he will not do so.

Mr Looby was represented by Colman Cody SC, instructed by solicitor Michael Devlin.

Mr Cody said: “As Ms Buckley said, this is a very serious case.”

Counsel said he had taken instructions from Mr Looby and he undertakes he will not permit anybody to keep animals on his lands.

“Currently, there is a suspension on him having animals on his property,” said Mr Cody.

Counsel said the matter was sent forward from the district court and Mr Looby has entered pleas of guilty at the first available opportunity.

Mr Cody made an application for a legal aid certificate for a psychological report on Mr Looby.

“There is a history of mental health issues. There was some degree of manipulation of Mr Looby regarding the circumstances of providing other third parties to keep animals on his land,” said Mr Cody.

Judge Daly granted the application and set down a date of March 23, 2026 for a sentencing hearing in Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.

Ms Buckley said it will take over half a day for the case to be heard.

Mr Looby was remanded on continuing bail.