These are the business bosses and huntsmen charged with allowing foxhounds to kill a cat and attack a man.
Dungannon man Alexander Mills, who works for an agricultural machinery firm bearing his name, and Banbridge man Gareth Black, managing director of a North Down construction company, are charged alongside the Iveagh Hunt Club.
The club and the two representatives are accused of allowing their hounds to attack and kill a black cat named Jessie on the Dromara Road, Hillsborough.
The dogs also allegedly attacked and injured a man on the nearby Edentrillick Hill in November 2020.
The case against Iveagh Hunt Club, of Seapatrick Road in Banbridge, Black and Mills, is due to be heard at Lisburn Magistrates Court later this month.
When contacted by Sunday Life about the allegations against him, hunt master Alexander Mills said he had no comment to make.
Mills, of Mullanary Road, works for agricultural machinery firm Alexander Mills in the village of Benburb, Co Tyrone, which specialises in heavy plant machinery and fertiliser.
Their website says: “Alexander Mills have been prominent in the supply of agriculture machinery and farming supplies to the farming industry from 1945. Our business supplies products all over Ireland, Europe and further.”
Co-accused Gareth Black, of Shanrod Road, is the managing director of construction project management firm Hughes McMichael Limited, based in Holywood, Co Down, but with offices on University Street in south Belfast.
According to their website the firm “was established over 30 years ago and is now a leading multi-disciplinary practice providing development and construction related services throughout the UK and Ireland.”
Both Black and the Iveagh Hunt Club did not respond to requests for comment.
During a preliminary hearing at Lisburn Magistrates Court in July defence solicitor Paul Brown said he was appearing for all three “with the caveat” that he was not sure whether Iveagh Hunt Club “is a proper entity for the purposes of criminal culpability.”
A prosecuting lawyer revealed there was due to be a fourth defendant listed but Mr Brown suggested that “knowing something of the background” the summons may not have been properly served.
Deputy District Judge Liam McStay adjourned the case to August 17.
This article by John Toner was first published by The Belfast Telegraph on 8 August 2021. Lead Image: HUNTSMAN: Alexander Mills.
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