Boss of abattoir firm at centre of RTÉ exposé has conviction for horse cruelty

John Joe Fitzpatrick was ordered to pay €2,000 in 2012 over failings

A CCTV image from the 'RTÉ Investigates' show

Amy Molloy

A director of the company operating the abattoir at the centre of an RTÉ investigation into animal welfare abuse has a previous conviction for cruelty to two horses, an Oireachtas committee was told.

Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy asked Department of Agriculture officials whether any background checks were carried out on those connected to Shannonside Foods in Straffan, Co Kildare, before it was granted a licence to operate as Ireland’s only horse abattoir.