Letterkenny Courthouse.
A CASTLEFIN man and his nephew pleaded guilty to handling stolen sheep at today’s sitting of Letterkenny District Court.
Charles McConalogue (55) of Liscooley, Castlefin and James McConalogue (29) of Kiltown, Killygordon, were both charged with handling stolen property, namely 35 lambs, at Liscooley on December 2, 2014.
Garda Inspector, David Kelly, told Judge Paul Kelly at a previous hearing that both men were charged in relation to alleged “sheep rustling” after being detected with the sheep in a trailer they were pulling at Liscooley.
They had claimed they bought the animals “for a bargain” from a man they knew, however, DNA testing proved they were not the rightful owners.
The lambs had been reported stolen on October 22.
Defending solicitor, Mr Frank Dorrian, said the publicity surrounding the case would do “untold damage” to his clients among the farming community.
Mr Dorrian was granted an application for legal aid, saying the men were both in receipt of Farm Assist welfare payments. He added that neither of the men, who appeared in court, were landowners, but that they rented land to farm sheep.
Judge Kelly convicted and fined both men €200 each.
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