Judge dismisses animal welfare charges against Lisburn man
A Lisburn man has been cleared on appeal of all charges which were brought against him under the Welfare of Animals (Northern Ireland) Act 2011.
At Lisburn Magistrates’ Court in May this year Mr Ted Mulholland of Ballinderry Road, who was charged jointly with his wife, was convicted of two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to 100 racing pigeons and failing to take reasonable steps to ensure the welfare of the pigeons.
However, Mr Mulholland appealed the convictions and, on November 5, at Lisburn County Court, where the charges were fully contested, His Honour Judge Patrick Lynch QC, after hearing the evidence, dismissed both charges against him.
The court ordered Mr Mulholland’s surviving pigeons be returned to him as soon as accommodation is made available.