Farmer jailed for third time for contempt

A County Roscommon farmer has been jailed for three weeks for contempt of a High Court order at the High Court in Dublin. Mr Justice Michael Twomey imposed the sentence on Eugene Costello for failing to remove livestock from 90 acres of farmland at Coolfree, Taughmaconnell, Ballinasloe. Carlisle Mortgages Ltd brought the proceedings, claiming Mr Costello obstructed the sale of the property by keeping cattle on it. The lender sought to sell the land after Mr Costello allegedly failed to repay borrowings from 2004, with approximately €1.4 million outstanding. Mr Costello had undertaken to remove the animals by August 25th but failed to do so. He accepted non-compliance with previous undertakings, though his solicitor disputed whether the livestock in photographs belonged to his client. The judge declined to continue a previously imposed stay on the committal order. This marks Mr Costello's third jailing for contempt in connection with the matter.