Ireland: Leading Equine Vet Pleads Guilty To Possession Of 'Unauthorized Animal Medications'
Dr. Tim Brennan, considered one of the leading equine veterinarians in Ireland, has pleaded guilty to being in possession of "unauthorized animal medications."
The Independent reports that Brennan, who is the vet for champion trainer Willie Mullins, appeared at Kilkenny District Court where he pleaded guilty to three counts of "having possession of unauthorized animal medications" and one charge of "failing to keep proper records in respect of a named animal remedy."
As a part of Brennan's guilty plea, authorities dropped 10 other charges.
According to the article in the Independent, the charges were leveled as the result of a joint operation between Ireland's Department of Agriculture and the Turf Club. Irish authorities have stressed that trainer Mullins and his stable "were in no way" connected with the investigation.
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The investigation and charges against Brennan were brought about by a routine inspection of Mullins' stables by Dept. of Agriculture officials on Feb. 9, 2015. Brennan happened to be at the stable at the time. Department veterinary inspector, Louis Reardon, asked if he could inspect the veterinarian's van.
It was during that investigation that Reardon came across what he suspected might be unauthorized medications. The medications were sent to a lab for testing, where they were found to be Catosal, Hemo 15 and Quinidine Sulphate, which are used to treat conditions ranging from anemia to various circulation problems.
While the medications are routinely used in some European countries, they are all subject to license in Ireland.
Read more in the Independent
