Judge tells Corey Ireland’s defence “matters are quite old”

The defence in the Corey Ireland cattle fraud case has revealed the reasons for delays in the court process. See the latest.

A judge has questioned the ongoing delays in the Corey Ireland cattle fraud case, granting another two-month adjournment but telling the defence to “read the brief”.

So far the case has been subject to more than 65 court listings. Following a plethora of adjournments, a move from Wagga Wagga to Sydney and a change of legal representation, Mr Ireland’s defence was on Friday put on notice to be across the brief of evidence before the next appearance.

Judge Stephen Hanley asked if the defence was still “getting on top of the case”, and mentioned on two separate occasions that the case was “quite old”.

Mr Ireland, a former cattle breeder from Ireland’s Angus Stud at Kyeamba in southern NSW is facing 16 fraud charges and is yet to enter a plea despite being listed for arraignment in the Sydney Downing Centre on Friday.

In December 2019, police raided Mr Ireland’s former property during Strike Force Seger. In 2020, 13 charges were laid in relation to allegations of cattle fraud. Another three fraud charges were added in 2023.

Mr Ireland, who remains on bail, appeared via video link as his solicitor asked for an eight-week adjournment.

It was revealed the Crown was not aware of the issues in dispute, while Mr Ireland’s solicitor told the court that legal counsel was only halfway through reading the 10,000-page brief of evidence.

“It is 400 annexures and there are 13 victims. It is a multimillion cattle fraud allegation,” he said.

Former cattle stud breeder Corey Ireland appeared in the Sydney Downing Centre via video link on Friday.

“Our issue being that we have come to the matter late. We were not involved in the EAGP (early appropriate guilty plea) process.”

Mr Ireland’s solicitor said he was only instructed on October 4, 2024, when the matter was first listed for arraignment in the NSW District Court at Sydney Downing Centre.

“It took me some two months to procure the brief from the officer in charge because there were some difficulties in providing a brief of evidence,” he said.

“I was only provided a brief on a USB so I had to also print out two sets of briefs and provide counsel with a brief and this is where we are at, Your Honour.”

Despite the fact there has not been a plea, Judge Hanley asked counsel what the duration of a trial was likely to be.

“I would expect it would take a month given the significant amount of materials,” Mr Ireland’s solicitor told the court.

Judge Hanley agreed to the two-month adjournment and said he expected Mr Ireland’s counsel to have read the brief in that time.

“I suggest you speak to the Crown and see what can be resolved in regards to the documentation of agreed facts,” Judge Hanley said.

Mr Ireland’s solicitor stated that the matter was initially heard in Wagga Wagga Local Court. Asked by Judge Hanley if it would stay in Sydney, he replied “yes”.

“For abundant caution Mr Ireland should appear (at the next court date),” Judge Hanley said.

The matter returns to court on April 4.