An Edgeworthstown family have failed in their efforts to have a series of animal cruelty charges facing them dismissed.
On the 7th of May 2020, Members of An Garda Siochana and the ISPCA attended a property at Lisnanagh near the town.
41 dogs and cats were discovered in various states at the property and removed by the animal welfare organisation.
Six members of the family living at the property have been charged with a range of animal welfare offences under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013
Appearing at Longford Circuit Criminal Court yesterday, the family applied to have their individual cases dismissed under a section 4E application.
Kevin Stokes Snr is charged with a breach under section 22 of the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 for running an alleged unlicensed breeding operation at Lisnanagh and 41 other animal welfare charges.
Also facing charges in relation to alleged neglect and ownership of the animals in question are Jonathon Wykes, Johanna Wykes, Chantel Stokes, Lucy McDermott and Jane Ward.
Arguing to have the cases dismissed, Defence Barristers argued that there is not enough evidence of ownership of the animals to allow a case to progress.
Hearing evidence from the defence of each family member, Judge Keenan Johnson stated that evidence in some of the cases would make it difficult for a successful prosecution.
However, he was satisfied that the State did have a sufficient case to progress and denied all 6 applications for a 4E case dismissal.
All of the accused will now move forward to trial in the coming year.
