Steroids case against Tipperary horse trainer delayed
Leading Irish horse trainer Philip Fenton will have to wait at least another several weeks to defend himself against charges of possession of steroids.
The 49-year-old sat by himself at the back of Carrick-on-Suir district court in Co Tipperary today as lawyers pleaded for more time to deal with submissions in the case.
Judge Terence Finn put the hearing back for mention at the same courthouse on May 15.
Mr Fenton, of Garryduff, South Lodge, Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary, is facing eight charges over treatments and medicines found by state inspectors at his yard.
At a hearing last month, his legal team were given four weeks to file submissions on issues they claim to have found on summonses detailing the prosecution.
Those files were sent to the chief state solicitor’s office on March 10 and prosecutors have asked for more time to consider them.
There was no objection from the defence team.
The case against Mr Fenton was brought about by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine following an inspection of his yard on January 18 2012.
The eight charges include alleged possession of Nitrotain and Ilium Stanabolic and prescription medicines including Engemycin 10%, Neomycin Penicillin and Marbocyl 10%.
If a trial goes ahead on the charges, between 12 and 15 witnesses are expected to be called, including one from France.
No plea has been entered.
