National: Big fine and jail time for 60 year old woman who kept horses in 'emaciated' state

A woman has been sentenced to three months imprisonment and fined almost €12,000 for offences under the Animal Health and Welfare Act (AHWA) 2013. 

According to the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA), the 60 year old Wicklow woman was sentenced at Arklow District Court in February 2024 having previously admitted charges under the AHWA. 

Judge David Kennedy reportedly fined the defendant €5,000 and ordered that she pay a €500 contribution to ISPCA costs, as well as €6,441.15 in costs incurred by the Irish Horse Welfare Trust (IHWT). 

She was also banned from keeping all animals for life, and given three months to sell or rehome any other animals in her care. 

A total of nine horses were reportedly removed from lands and a barn in Wicklow on three dates in late July and early August 2022. 

ISPCA Senior Inspector Fiona Conlon described how she found several horses "in varying levels of severe neglect". 

All the horses were reportedly visibly underweight, their hooves were overgrown, and their coats were matted with faecal material. 

One horse had two swollen legs and was struggling to walk. 

According to the ISPCA, the defendant admitted under caution that veterinary attention had not been sought for the animal. 

The same was reportedly the case for a horse with a semi-protruded and swollen penis, despite the fact that the injury was sustained up to three years prior. 

The sheds in which the horses were housed had insufficient light and ventilation, and there were huge accumulations of dung. 

According to the ISPCA, Senior Inspector Conlon discovered another horse at a later date that had not been disclosed during previous visits; it was shut in another shed and was in "an emaciated state" with "deformed hooves". 

The horse was also surrendered and required sedatives and pain relief to enable it to travel.

The ISPCA stated that of the nine horses removed, three were ultimately euthanised as they could not be adequately rehabilitated to allow them to live pain-free, while a further two had permanent hoof damage that meant they would no longer be able to be ridden. 

Judge Kennedy indicated it was the worse case of animal cruelty in his 15 years on the bench, and described accompanying photos as "extremely distressing". 

Speaking after the case, Senior Inspector Conlon said, "This successful prosecution is a significant step forward in ensuring the good welfare of equines in our community. We are committed to holding accountable those who neglect or mistreat vulnerable animals. 

"This was one of the worst cases of animal cruelty I have witnessed, every shed I entered I found yet another animal in horrendous condition and living in totally unsuitable accommodations. I want to acknowledge Jill Power and her team from the Irish Horse Welfare Trust, who helped me get them to safety.

"Unfortunately, the outcome was not good for three of the horses and they had to be euthanised on welfare grounds. Good equine welfare is not just about the ethical treatment of horses, it is the foundation of their health and performance and the bond we share with these incredible animals." 

The ISPCA is asking members of the public to continue to report any animal welfare concerns, by calling the ISPCA’s National Animal Cruelty Helpline on 0818 515 515, report online here or email helpline@ispca.ie.