A Fermanagh man charged after a major PSNI swoop into animal cruelty in the Derrylin area has been returned for trial.

Appearing for a committal hearing was Jason Lee Kennedy (35), from Marble Arch Road, Enniskillen, who is alleged to have caused suffering to badgers and cats through baiting and fighting which he recorded and supplied to others.

He faces 18 charges in total, involving six counts each of causing unnecessary suffering to animals, causing or attempting to cause an animal fight, and being present at an animal fight.

Offending is alleged to have occurred on both June 28 and July 4, 2022.

The causing of unnecessary suffering relates to badgers and cats.

The charges state he intentionally killed a badger and the counts of intentionally injuring also relates to badgers.

Finally, he was alleged to have been in possession of three live badgers, and one dead.

Seized

While no further details surrounding the circumstances of the case have not yet been disclosed, police at the time of confirmed Kennedy was arrested in the Derrylin area of Fermanagh on March 7 this year, when a number of dogs were also seized as part of the investigation.

A prosecuting lawyer told Enniskillen Magistrates Court there is a case to answer which was agreed by District Judge Alana McSorley.

Kennedy spoke only to confirm his name and that he understood the charges against him.

He declined to call witnesses or give evidence on his own behalf at this stage.

Judge McSorley remanded Kennedy on continuing bail to appear for arraignment at Dungannon Crown Court next month, on January 16.

She also ordered him to sign with police four times per week, and banned the possession of any animal, or attendance at any hunting-related activities.

Charged

At the time of arrest, a PSNI spokesperson said Kennedy was charged: “With offences including ‘killing, injuring or taking a wild animal’, ‘causing or attempting to cause an animal fight’, ‘being present at an animal fight’ and ‘causing unnecessary suffering to animals.”

Badger baiting is the digging out and killing of badgers, which are a protected species in Northern Ireland.