A Cork farmer has been banned from owning animals for 15 years after a district court heard a Judge describing the level of animal neglect as shocking.
Denis O’Regan, (49) Dromaculling, Coachford, Co. Cork pleaded guilty to 30 charges relating to animal cruelty and neglect due to failures in basic farm management.
The case arose after Department of Agriculture (DAFM) inspectors discovered severe animal welfare breaches on his 170‑acre farm, including dozens of dead animals left to decompose.
Concerns about the farm first surfaced in 2020, shortly after O’Regan inherited the land from his late uncle.
DAFM Inspectors found the farm severely overstocked, with nearly 300 animals at one point, despite repeated instructions to reduce the herd.
A formal farm plan recommended keeping no more than 50 cattle, but O’Regan failed to follow this guidance. His reluctance to sell animals or dispose of carcasses led to escalating mortality rates and worsening conditions.
Worse Situation
When DAFM inspectors returned in May 2024, they encountered what DAFM Veterinary Inspector Maria Wall described as the worst situation she had seen in two decades.
Around 30 emaciated cattle were still alive, while up to 30 carcasses were discovered hidden under plastic sheeting or partially buried in straw.
Some animals had been put in‑calf far too young, leading to distress, injury, and in some cases death. Overflowing slurry tanks, unmanaged fields, and a lack of winter fodder highlighted the broader collapse of farm management.
Despite multiple enforcement notices, O’Regan failed to comply fully with instructions to reduce the herd and properly care for the remaining animals. The court heard that he lacked insight into the consequences of his actions.
No Intent to Cause Harm
Judge Joanne Carroll accepted that there was no deliberate intent to cause harm, but stressed that the scale of neglect was “shocking” and posed potential risks to public health.Judge Carroll expressed a view that there is psychological impairment element to this case.
In addition to the 15‑year animal owning disqualification, except for three pets,, Mr O’Regan received €3,000 in fines and a suspended three‑month sentence for animal tagging offences. He was given three weeks to remove the remaining animals, three breeding bulls and five steers, from his farm.
To report any animal welfare concerns:
Department of Agriculture (DAFM): For farm animals and horses.
01 607 2379 / 0761 064 408
animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie
NSPCA’s National Animal Cruelty Helpline on 0818 515 515
Report online at: https://ispca.ie/report-cruelty
E:helpline@ispca.ie.
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If you have a tip for an animal welfare issue, an animal news article, a press release, or just want to just reach out to us, we’d love to hear from you. John Tierney, Animal News Ireland/Editor