An animal cruelty case which has been taken by the Department of Agriculture against dairy farmer Seán Coughlan has been pushed back until October for trial.

The Mayo farmer appeared before Roscommon District Court on Tuesday 18 June for trial.

However, the court heard that Coughlan wished to appoint a new legal team.

Seán Coughlan, Lahardane, Ballina and Coughlan Farming Ltd, Cum, Lahardane, Ballina, are charged with neglect and failing to ensure animals were kept in a manner that would not threaten their health in November 2022 at Laragan, Elphin.

Judge Kenneth Connolly made an order on Tuesday to allow Mr Coughlan’s solicitor, James Staines, to come off record, directed the accused to appoint a new legal team as soon as possible and adjourned the matter to 7 October 2025 for trial.

He ordered that Coughlan’s new legal team be “fully up to speed” by October and added that he would be inclined not to entertain any application for an adjournment on the next occasion.

There will be a call over of the new legal team by video link on 28 July at 2pm.

It has been stated that 38 charges of animal cruelty related to Mr Coughlan, while charges 39-74 related to the company.