FOOTAGE from DAERA officials will be examined in the case of two Fivemiletown farmers accused of causing unnecessary suffering to more than a dozen cattle. 
Leslie Hall (70), and Calvin Hall (31), both of Cooneen Road, Fivemiletown, are facing a raft of animal cruelty charges, including causing unnecessary suffering to 14 cattle between January 4 and February 6, 2021, and failing to take steps to ensure the needs of animals were met between January 24 and February 6, 2021.
The latter charges include failing to provide access to a dry-lying area, an adequate supply of water, and an adequate supply of food. 
The pair are also accused of failing to hold animal carcasses on October 15, 2020, and failing to produce a veterinary medicine record on the same date.
Neither appeared at a hearing at Enniskillen Magistrate’s Court yesterday (Wednesday, February 28).
Discussing the progress of the case, Ciaran Roddy BL said that “essential” body-worn footage had been received, following a delay.
“This body-worn footage is a recording of attendance by DAERA officials when the destruction of the animals, which is the subject of this prosecution, occurred,” Mr Roddy said, adding that the footage will help show “the extent to which they were suffering”.
Mr. Roddy said that a vet had been directed to provide a report on their opinion on the “suffering” that may be observed in the footage.
The contents of this report, he argued, would be helpful in “narrowing issues” within the case. 
However, Mr. Roddy said that it could take “some time” for the vet to receive the footage and to compile a report. 
A prosecutor said the delay was accepted, and that it was “unlikely” that a planned contest date of March 13 would be possible. 
The prosecutor added that there were “a lot of witnesses” in the case.
District Judge Alana McSorley ordered that the case be adjourned to March 27.