A farmer from Co. Monaghan has been sentenced to six months’ imprisonment for illegally importing cattle onto his farm, according to the Irish Times.

William Cranston of Skerrymore, Drumacrib, was sentenced during a special sitting of the District Court in Monaghan town yesterday (Wednesday, September 13).

Cranston, who is 40-years-old, is believed to have been found guilty of 13 charges relating to alleged illegal livestock importation over a 7-month period, from May 1 to December 30, 2014.

The charges of possessing false ear tags and illegal livestock exportation were reportedly among the charges pressed, the Irish Times added.

It is understood that Cranston has previously been convicted of possessing illegal livestock-fattening substances.

Horse-shooting court appearance

Earlier this week, a man in his 30s was brought before Mallow District Court on Tuesday morning, charged in connection with a shooting incident that took place last Sunday, September 10, in Newmarket, Co. Cork.

The man allegedly shot five horses and two dogs in the incident, according to the Irish Times, and was arrested by armed members of An Garda Siochana on Sunday afternoon.

According to the Gardai, early on Sunday morning – at approximately 2:30am – members of the force were called to a house in the Newmarket area of Co. Cork following reports of a dispute.

No one was injured and the suspect left the scene in a black Toyota Corolla saloon car with a 131-C registration.

The Gardai launched a search for the man and the car before apprehending the suspect in a house in Meelin, the Irish Times reports.

The man was detained under the provisions of Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act. The dead animals are believed to have been owned by a relative of the suspect.

Gardai reportedly recovered two firearms – a rifle and a shotgun – which were both legally held.