The 44-year-old Irish sheep breeder Martin Walsh of Ballintlew is charged with animal cruelty.

The charge of 35 violations of the Animal Health and Welfare Act was charged after 35 sheep were found dead on land he rented last March.

Sheep were housed on land rented by Mr. Walsh in Shammerbown, Kilkelli, Mayo County, and on March 16, 2019, landlord Garda Fergal O'Kaney received a message that animals were neglected on the land.

Patrick Reynolds, a lawyer for the director of public prosecution, said at a Castlebar district court hearing Tuesday that when Garda Fergal O'Kane visited the country, he spotted several dead sheep. Then Garda O'Kaheny and his co-worker again visited the land and found 35 dead sheep.

Mr. Reynolds said that the land was in poor condition and there was no feed for the sheep. Reynold added that the sheep are said to have died of starvation. Judge Fiona Lydon recognized the jurisdiction in this case.

And Martin Walsh's attorney, Miles Gilvarry, said his client would not plead guilty to committing crimes and would demand an announcement to seek the date of the hearing. So far, the case has been postponed until May 7, when the hearing date will be announced.