A Raphoe farmer has been ordered to pay €4,000 after admitting possessing a stolen tractor.
Well-known sheep and cattle dealer Nelson McConnell was visited by Gardai at his farm on November13th last.
However Garda Tom McNally told Letterkeny Circuit Court that it later became apparent that the 59 year old had fled the scene on the Massey Ferguson 4355.
A Massey Ferguson 4355 similar to one stolen
Gardai later called to his home and he made a statement.
He told Gardai that another person had left the tractor at his home and he used it as his own tractor was broken.
The court heard that the other man owed McConnell money for stock and this was the return on it.
McConnell registered the vehicle in a neighbour’s name without their knowledge, got a new license plate made up for €50 in Letterkenny and transferred the insurance from his old tractor to the new machine.
The tractor had been stolen form a raid on a farm in Castle Allingham in Co Louth.
Barriste for McConnell, Mr Peter Nolan said his client was one of a number of people who had been a victim of a certain third party along the way.
Describing him as a family man with four children, Mr Nolan said the incident has already brought great embarrassment to McConnell.
“He will be the talk of the mart in Raphoe for the next two weeks. He will have to face all that and I would like to think he has learned a lesson,” said Mr Nolan.
Judge John O’Hagan said he accepted there were other parties involved but that Mr McConnell had to be taught a lesson.
He was told that the victim was still out €8,000 after being reimbursed through the insurance company for the tractor.
Judge O’Hagan ordered McConnell to pay €4,000 by July 29th next and he will take a certain course.