Prosecutor’s mother withdraws challenge to puppy farm closure

A WOMAN whose puppy farm was shut down by the local authority, and who is the mother of the Offaly State Solicitor, has withdrawn her legal challenge to the closure on the morning of the hearing.

Maureen Mahon, 71, of Mill House, Lugmore, lodged the challenge a month after her illegal operation was closed down by Offaly County Council in January.

When the case was called in Tullamore Court last Monday, solicitors for the local authority told the court it was being withdrawn. No reason was given for why Mrs Mahon was withdrawing her appeal.

Had the challenge gone ahead, the court would have heard evidence from the authorities about the puppy farm located on lands at Mrs Mahon’s home, which inspectors previously reported posed ‘an immediate and serious threat to animal welfare’.

Maureen Mahon’s daughter Sandra, is the Offaly State Solicitor. In that role she has previously prosecuted another illegal puppy farmer in the county.

Now that Maureen Mahon’s appeal has been withdrawn, it is open to Offaly County Council to bring a prosecution under the Dog Breeding Establishment Act 2010, which provides for fines of up to €100,000 and five years in jail. It is also open the Department of Agriculture to prosecute for breaches of the 2015 Microchipping Regulations, as none of the 67 dogs found were microchipped. The Closure Notice cited ‘concerns around illegal exportation’ of pups.

Asked by the Irish Mail on Sunday if it is considering further action, the council said it could not comment on individual cases.

‘This policy is strictly adhered to in any matter relating to a statutory process,’ it said. The Department of Agriculture declined to comment.

The MoS previously revealed that Maureen Mahon’s illegal dog breeding operation posed ‘an immediate and serious threat to animal welfare’, according to the county vet and other officials.

The authorities cited ‘concerns around illegal exportation under conditions that cause serious threat to the welfare of pups born on the premises’. None of the dogs were microchipped and there were no records of sales or births. Conditions fell ‘far short’ of legal requirements and dog vaccines were stored on the premises contrary to legal storage requirements.

Sixty-two dogs were removed in the operation by Offaly County Council and the ISPCA, many of which can sell for €2,500 per pup. They included 44 breeding females, six litters of pups and nine stud dogs, now in rescues.

Last year, Sandra Mahon prosecuted puppy farmer Benny Deegan of Clonminch, Co. Offaly, whose premises were also closed down. The Mahons did not respond to MoS queries.