An inspector with the Department of Agriculture Environmental and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has pleaded guilty to illegally possessing prescription-only veterinary medicines.
Andrew McCutcheon (49) from Bodoney Road, Trillick was set to contest charges from two separate incidents – one of which was committed while under investigation for the other – but changed his plea after some matters were withdrawn.
He admitted having three types of veterinary-only prescribed drugs (Marbocyl, Boflox and Hymatil Tilicosin) on 18 July 2021 as well as failing to keep medicine records between January 2016 and December 2021.
In the second incident, he admitted having two types of similarly-regulated medicines (Metacam and Alamycin) on 10 August 2022.
Before the case began at Omagh Magistrates Court District, Judge Bernie Kelly said she felt pre-sentence reports may be required as "this is a serious issue, particularly when it comes to animal welfare and the human foodchain".
A prosecuting lawyer explained in the first matter a DAERA investigation was conducted on McCutcheon’s farm around breaches of Veterinary Medicines Regulations.
Described as "a farmer and a DEARA Group 1 inspector", he confirmed having a bottle of one of the medicines claiming he “got off a boy on the street".
The search recovered 18 bottles of licensed medicine with no corresponding records and in some instances only partial entries.
It was also established 57 prescriptions were not recorded in medicine books over a six year period.
During the search McCutcheon told an officer he was a DAERA inspector, adding he did not have a prescription for medicines in his car as, “you know the way it works. Paperwork will arrive a week later".
Various medicines were also found in another vehicle and at one stage an officer observed McCutcheon attempting to hide bottles in a shed.
On the second occasion, DAERA officers at Larne Harbour stopped McCutcheon driving a vehicle and trailer which was booked to travel to Cairnryan.
He denied having any non-prescribed veterinary medicines and was told the vehicles would be searched.
The livestock was off-loaded, and bags of animal foodstuffs and a box found containing two bottles of prescription medicine, one of which was open.
McCutcheon became agitated and used abusive language to the officers despite being warned to calm down.
When formally cautioned McCutcheon told an officer: “I will personally sue you if anything happens to my sheep".
The officer informed him she worked for the department and he replied, “I’m not talking about the department. I’m talking about personally suing you.”
Judge Kelly decided to halt proceedings at this point and ruled: “When I take the entire situation overall, I require pre-sentence reports.
"Not only was the defendant a farmer, he was a DAERA inspector.
"His behaviour towards another inspector at the port was particularly egregious, despite being already aware he was under investigation for this type of offending.”
McCutcheon will be sentenced in October.