Shannonside Foods Ltd recently pleaded guilty to possession of a horse passport that had been tampered with or altered with intent to deceive or defraud at a sitting of Limerick District Court before Judge Michael Ramsey.

Following an investigation by the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine (DAFM), Shannonside Foods Ltd, company director, John Joe Fitzpatrick, and his son Arrann Fitzpatrick, pleaded guilty at the court hearing (Friday, April 4) to offences under the European Union (Identification of Equidae) Regulations 2016.

The passport was presented to a DAFM veterinary inspector at Shannonside Foods Ltd, Straffan, Co. Kildare in June 2021 for the purpose of identification checks prior to slaughter for human consumption.

According to DAFM, department staff had concerns regarding the integrity of the passport and rejected the horse, which did not enter the human food chain.

John Joe Fitzpatrick pleaded guilty to multiple counts of possession of a horse passport in circumstances where he was not the keeper, owner, or person in possession or charge of the animal to which the passports related, contrary to Regulation 38(1) of the 2016 Regulations.

Arrann Fitzpatrick and Shannonside Foods Ltd also pleaded guilty to a single charge each under Regulation 38(1) of the 2016 Regulations.

Judge Ramsey has ordered a €3,000 fine against John Joe Fitzpatrick, a €1,000 fine against Arrann Fitzpatrick, €2,000 fine against Shannonside Foods Ltd, and a €1,500 contribution be made towards the department’s legal costs.

In a statement, DAFM said it welcomes the decision of the court on these matters.

DAFM said: "The department takes the integrity of the food chain very seriously, and the convictions and penalties served send a clear message that any person or business who engage in illegal behaviour that bring food chain risks will face consequences for their actions."

According to DAFM, the matters that were dealt with by the court pre-dated, and were separate to the incidents featuring activities associated with the Shannonside Foods horse slaughter plant that were broadcast in an RTÉ Investigates programme in June of last year.

"DAFM continues to work collaboratively with An Garda Síochána in undertaking an extensive investigation into the serious matters that were highlighted in the RTÉ Investigates programme to ensure there is accountability for those responsible." the department said.

"The investigation primarily relates to animal welfare and traceability practices associated with the Shannonside Foods plant prior to the Department revoking its approval in June 2024."