A Co Galway farmer has been found guilty of engaging in threatening, abusive and insulting words towards a neighbouring farmer with intent to provoke a breach of the peace, in a long-running dispute that erupted over a missing dog.
At Gort District Court, Judge Adrian Harris found Brian Gill, 44, of Cahermore, Kinvara, guilty over two incidents, on May 21, 2025, and February 2 this year. The judge did not convict Gill of either offence and applied the Probation Act for one year. He told Gill that if the Probation Service recommends an anger management course, he must complete it.
Brian Murphy told the court that on May 21, 2025, the two met while driving on a narrow road at Caherawoneen South, Kinvara, at about 9pm. He said Gill accused him of stealing the dog and said: “I will get you.” Murphy said he knew nothing about the dog and did not speak to Gill.
Gill told the court his dog went missing on May 19, 2025, and that he received a call on July 1 saying it was 35km away. He said the dog did not walk 35km. He denied threatening Murphy, saying he asked where the dog was and that Murphy called him a fool. Gill said he replied that Murphy was “the only fool who sells top soil from his farm”. He also said three people had told him the dog was seen in the back of Murphy’s yard, but he declined to identify them.
Defence barrister Martin Durack said there was an agrarian background to the incident and past disputes over fences. Under cross-examination, Murphy said: “Every time I am on the road he causes trouble.” Gill said he was angry because the issue had gone on for 10 years and that it was the 15th time he had been in court over the matter, directly or indirectly. Insp Daragh Browne said Gill remained frustrated and believed someone had removed the dog. Judge Harris said there was clear ill feeling between the two men and warned Gill against the behaviour that led to the offences.