A 62 year old west Clare farmer has appeared in court in connection with the alleged dumping of 17 decomposing carcasses at a 300 ft high cliff last year.
At Kilrush District Court, Martin Gerald Foley of Lislanihan, Kilkee appeared after being charged last Friday in connection with the discovery of the rotting animals at the base of cliffs at Baltard, Doonbeg in April of last year.
Giving evidence of arrest, charge and caution, Det Garda Ollie Downes said that he charged Mr Foley last Friday.
Mr Foley is charged with disposing of waste in a manner that is likely to cause environmental pollution on dates unknown between April 20th 2013 and March 13th 2014 contrary to Section 32 of the Waste Management Act.
Det Downes said that in response to caution, Mr Foley replied: “I have nothing to say at this stage.”
Mr Foley was unrepresented in court yesterday and asked if he had a solicitor by Judge Patrick Durcan, he replied: “Not yet judge, I am working on it.”
Insp John Ryan told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has directed that the case be heard in the circuit court.
Judge Durcan yesterday adjourned the case to allow the State draw up a Book of Evidence.
The DPP made the direction after a two volume file was sent by west Clare Gardai to the DPP in December after a long investigation into the case.
In April of last year, Clare’s ISPCA warden, Frankie Coote carried out the examination of the decomposing 10 horses, four cattle and three calves at the 300 ft high Beltard cliffs near Doonbeg on the west Clare coast.
The investigation included DNA tests that were carried out on the dead animals to determine who they belonged to and the work of an oceanographer to determine if the carcasses were washed ashore or not.
The carcasses had to be cremated at the scene as it was not possible to remove them.
In response to the discovery of the carcasses, four separate agencies launched investigations that included the Gardai, the ISPCA, the Department of Agriculture and Clare Co Council.
Up to 15 of the bloated animals were located close together at the bottom of the isolated cliffs.
The decomposing remains were brought to the attention of the Gardai by a walker who discovered the bloated carcasses while walking on the rocky shore. The walker reported the discovery to Kilrush Gardaí, who attended soon after.
In court yesterday, Judge Durcan remanded Mr Foley on bail to appear before the court on September 8th next.