'Unnecessary suffering': Limerick farmer sentenced for 'shocking level of neglect' of animals
One calf found was frothing at the mouth, had difficulty breathing and was in extreme distress
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A LIMERICK farmer who was involved in one of the country’s worst ever cases of animal cruelty has been sentenced at the Circuit Court.
Seamus Looby (68) of Raheen, Garryspillane, was charged with 318 counts of animal cruelty and neglect all relating to the time period between March 8, 2022 and September 8, 2022.
He pleaded guilty to 173 counts and appeared before Judge Fiona O’Sullivan in relation to the matter.
In a previous sentencing hearing in Limerick Circuit Criminal Court, the case was described by an inspector, who worked as a vet for more than 20 years, as “one of the worst cases of animal neglect I have ever witnessed.”
Arthur O’Connor, inspector with the investigations unit within the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, said that the investigation was prompted after a complaint was made by a member of the public. This regarded a smell from around the lands owned by Mr Looby.
In their investigation, the department staff found 57 carcasses with identification tags, a further 22 without tags and 256 calves remained unaccounted for.
Most of the animals who perished while under the care of Mr Looby were younger than eight months.
Mr O’Connor told the court that the defendant’s herd number was also suspended at the time and he was prohibited from moving animals under that herd number.
Another individual who was involved in the acquisition of the animals and who had given the animals to Mr Looby to care for, and was meant to provide feed for the animals, was also referred to in court.
When inspectors went to the farm, some calves were euthanised due to the poor health they were in.
Mr O’Connor said: “One calf was grunting, was breathing rapidly, the eyes were sunken into its head, it was very dehydrated and severely distressed.”
He added that with another calf, the young animal was “frothing at the mouth, had difficulty breathing and was in extreme distress.”
Of the carcasses found, there were parts of spinal cords, hip bones, jaw bones, as well as unidentifiable remains of calves. The court heard that some of the carcasses were in such a state that a shovel had to be used to gather them up.
In total - across the 200 acres of farmland spanning across two farm sites - 68 calves had to be euthanised and only 18 were fit to be sold.
Mr O’Connor said all the calves that were found alive were “stunted in growth.”
The court heard that Seamus Looby has a previous conviction from 2017 in relation to cruelty and neglect of dogs, namely collies.
Since December, Mr Looby has complied with the herd suspension and had not moved animals on his land, while he has also leased his farmland to family.
Graphic photos of the animals and carcasses found were shown to Judge Fiona O’Sullivan.
This Monday, it was heard that Mr Looby took part in causing the "unnecessary suffering” of these animals, “failing to dispose of dead carcasses” and failing to comply with an animal health and welfare notice.
Some of the charges, it was heard, carried penalties of up to €250,000 in fines and five years’ imprisonment.
Judge O’Sullivan did note that a number of the animals belonged to someone else.
Approximately 60 calves were euthanised and “multiple skeletal remains” were discovered at the site, some of which appeared to be burned.
It was the judge’s view that Seamus Looby was “easily led” and accepted he was not the “mastermind” behind this operation.
He was cooperative during the investigation and went on to plead guilty to over 100 charges on November 20, 2025.
Mr Looby also helped remove the remaining animals from his land.
In sentencing, Judge Fiona O’Sullivan said that after receiving these calves, Mr Looby could not afford to look after them since he had not been paid by the person who delivered the animals.
The judge also stated that if a fine was to be imposed, he could not pay such a fee and that he had become a “pariah” in his local community.
It was heard that the defendant also struggles with health difficulties, including his mental health.
Judge O’Sullivan said the farmer comes before the court as a “somewhat vulnerable and isolated” person but that he did accept some responsibility.
However, Mr Looby was noted as “being of sound mind.”
On this, the judge stated that this was an “exceptionally serious case” which involved “young and vulnerable” animals who were “dependent” on Seamus Looby.
She said many of the live animals discovered were starved and dehydrated.
Describing this as a “shocking level of neglect,” Judge O’Sullivan said a high amount of “stress and suffering” was caused to the calves, which was prolonged and repeated.
Mr Looby also failed to seek appropriate treatment for the calves even when instructed to do so.
It was Judge Fiona O’Sullivan’s view that “another person was involved in the background” and that Looby did not make financial gain.
She took into account his previous conviction from 2017 in relation to cruelty and neglect of dogs and believes the remorse and regret shown was genuine.
As well as this, Judge O’Sullivan gave consideration to the impact incarceration would have on the 68-year-old due to his age and health issues.
On one count of the breach of duty to protect animals, a headline sentence of four years and six months was imposed. This was reduced to three years and four months imprisonment once mitigating factors were taken into account.
In regards to the second count in the indictment, namely animal cruelty, a second headline sentence of four years and six months was handed down, which was also reduced to one of three years and four months imprisonment.
For failure to comply with the health and safety notice issued, Mr Looby was sentenced to three years and four months after his circumstances were considered.
Along with these sentences, Mr Looby was ordered to serve eight months in prison also, for failing to dispose of the carcasses on the site.
These are all to be concurrent, meaning each will be served at the same time. All other counts were taken into consideration.
The judge suspended the final 12 months for a period of two years as long as the 68-year-old engages with the probation service as well as services that are recommended to him.
In total, Seamus Looby will serve two years and four months in Limerick Prison. He was also disqualified from owning and working with animals for the rest of his life.
Following this, Judge Fiona O’Sullivan said she wishes Mr Looby “well” after the “very unfortunate case.”
Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme.