Garda probe after terrified horse crashes into car during funeral procession

Irish Daily Mirror

6 days ago

WARNING: Some readers may find the following content distressing.
An Garda Siochana has stated that animal welfare matters are 'taken seriously' as they continue to investigate a road traffic incident involving a car and a horse-drawn sulky that occurred during a funeral procession on Monday.
This comes after we reported on Tuesday how shocking footage emerged of the terrified horse crashing head first into a car as the sulky handler loses control of the animal on a busy Dublin road during the funeral procession of a road traffic victim.
In a statement to Irish Mirror on Thursday, a spokesperson for An Garda Siochana said: 'Gardaí received a report of a road traffic collision involving a car and a sulky that occurred on Coldcut Road, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 at approximately 1.45pm on Monday, August 10 at approximately 1.45pm.
'No injuries to persons were reported. A vet attended the scene and treated a horse which survived the collision. Gardaí in Ronanstown are investigating this incident and are liaising with the relevant animal welfare organisations.
The spokesperson continued: 'An Garda Síochána has Animal Health & Welfare Liaison Inspectors nominated in each Garda Division, who liaise as necessary with the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA), and veterinary surgeons employed by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine to assist members of An Garda Síochána in their duties.
'Local animal charities also provide valuable assistance to Gardaí. Although An Garda Síochána is not the lead agency for animal welfare, we take animal welfare matters seriously and encourage anyone with concerns for the safety and welfare of animals in their area to contact their local Garda Station or call the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111." The dramatic footage shows a number of people driving carts and sulkies with horses
We also reported on Tuesday how this shocking incident has led to an animal rescue charity calling for a Garda-led Animal Welfare Crime Unit empowered to investigate and act.
The dramatic footage showed a number of people driving carts and sulkies with horses and several more riding horses on Colcult Road in Clondalkin, Dublin 22 near Liffey Valley Shopping Centre alongside a horse and carriage hearse on Monday, August 11.
Two other people on horses are seen galloping along the green verge of the road as a number of vehicles including a bus pass in the opposite lane of the road.
One of the horses and carts then passes out the hearse as the horse canters at speed along the road - and a person on the cart is heard shouting 'No, no' and uses their hand to try and direct traffic out of the way.
The horse and cart break a red light as the driver of the cart continues to shout 'No, no,' as it approaches a junction at Liffey Valley Town Centre. The horse then crashes head first into the back passenger door of a silver car that travels from Liffey Valley Town Centre.
An almighty bang is heard as the horse crashes into the car while the driver of the cart shouts 'F**king hell,' before the video stops with the horse lying on the road. It's understood the shocking incident happened on Monday, August 11.
In a second video, seen by Irish Mirror, captioned: 'Very very lucky I was,' shows the horse with his head and face swollen and stitched up. A person is heard saying 'Appreciate that,' as they hold a container of medication. Another person is heard saying: 'He has a good chance of healing there now if you mind him.'
A spokesperson for My Lovely Horse Animal Rescue charity condemned the incident calling it 'lawlessness and cruelty.' The charity is now calling for a Garda-led Animal Welfare Crime Unit; increased and sustained funds for rescues and modern, enforceable laws to protect animals and the public.
'On Monday in Clondalkin, a funeral procession of a road traffic victim became chaotic,' the spokesperson said. 'Horses galloping along footpaths, sulkies and traps weaving through traffic. Then, the crash. A terrified horse ran into moving vehicles. Left bleeding, with a deep cut across its head, lying on the tarmac as gardaí arrived.
'This is the reality. Road Traffic Act breaches – no regulation, no insurance, no roadworthiness. Public safety is ignored – pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers put at serious risk. Animal welfare – exhausted, terrified animals, injured in plain sight. This is not 'tradition'. This is lawlessness and cruelty,' the charity's spokesperson said.
The charity is now calling for a Garda-led Animal Welfare Crime Unit empowered to investigate and act.
'Increased, sustained funding for rescues – because we're the ones picking up the pieces. Modern, enforceable laws – to protect animals and the public. See something. Say something. Animal cruelty is a crime,' the spokesperson said, encouraging the public to sign their petition to demand urgent action.
'Every share, signature, and euro makes a difference. Let's make sure this doesn't happen again,' the spokesperson said.
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