The Fine Gael minister Heather Humphreys has admitted that she “delivered” a letter to the Department of Agriculture in relation to its prosecution of a Co Monaghan farmer for serious animal cruelty charges. The charges were subsequently withdrawn on the day the trial was due to start.

The case involved Brian Wright, a farmer who has previous convictions for cruelty to farm animals. The minister’s spokeswoman said Humphreys did not know Wright personally, but was requested by a constituent to deliver a letter to the department, which she duly did.

According to sources, the letter that the enterprise minister delivered contained unfounded allegations about officials involved in the prosecution.

The Social Democrats and the Green Party have called for an investigation into the affair. Catherine