Emyvale Man, 77, Pleads Not Guilty in Alleged Cock-Fighting Case
Patsy Mullen, 77, of Rarutra, Emyvale, has pleaded not guilty to charges under the Animal Health and Welfare Act linked to a garda search in July 2024. He was remanded on bail until 4 January so a book of evidence can be served.
By the Monaghan Brief staff·Edited by Seamus McKenna·Published · 2 min read
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Castle Lake, Rossmore Forest Park. Archive location photograph; not a photo of the events in this story. Anthony Foster · CC BY-SA 2.0. Resized and colour-graded; cropped in layout.
A 77-year-old Emyvale man has pleaded not guilty to animal welfare charges linked to an alleged cock-fighting event in north Monaghan in July 2024, Northern Sound reports.
Patsy Mullen, of Rarutra, Emyvale, has been on bail since April. Monaghan District Court was told he is pleading not guilty. Judge Raymond Finnegan remanded him on continuing bail until 4 January so that a book of evidence can be served.
The charges
RTÉ reported in April that Mr Mullen faces seven charges under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, all relating to 27 July 2024 at Rarutragh, Emyvale. They include organising, causing or permitting a cock-fight; taking part in or being present at one; and keeping or having control of an animal for an animal fight. RTÉ said he faces a further charge of having spurs or other equipment adapted for use in an animal fight, and two other animal welfare charges. Free legal aid was granted at that hearing.
The garda investigation
A Garda press release from July 2024 says gardaí were called at about 11am on Saturday 27 July 2024 to a report of a suspected illegal cock-fighting event at a private house in Emyvale. A large number of people ran off when gardaí arrived. A warrant was obtained, and in the search, with Department of Agriculture staff present, 15 dead roosters were found and 70 more were seized.
The charges have not been proven, and Mr Mullen is presumed innocent.
Sources
This article is an original summary based on the following reporting. We encourage readers to visit the original sources for full coverage.
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