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Irish Independent
07-05-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Wicklow owners in dispute over two rescue donkeys are now at risk of losing a third donkey
Gerry and Sandra Kinsella became the guardians of Wags and Trey 13 years ago, having fostered them from Donkey Sanctuary Ireland. Gerry and Sandra say that hey included Wags and Trey, as they were legally obligated to do so, in Ireland's first National Equine Census in 2021. They said that the Department of Agriculture requested an update on their passports nine months later as both Wags and Trey were both originally from the UK. Gerry and Sandra became Wags and Trey's official keeper carers after legally removing the two donkeys from the UK database and changing their passports to Irish passports in order to complete the census. The Donkey Sanctuary Ireland stated that 'all our guardians must commit to following strict guidelines on matters such as passports routine healthcare and regular meetings with our welfare advisors' and issued legal proceedings 'in the hope of settling on a resolution that is in the best interests of the donkeys involved.' Now a third donkey, Stan, who was adopted from a different charity, is also at risk of being removed from Brickfield Sidings Farm beside Burke's Hardware in Rathnew, which he shares with Wags and Trey. Sandra said: 'We were served with court papers on Thursday and Donkey Sanctuary Ireland have formally invited us to mediation with an independent mediator to separate Wags and Trey from our other rescue Stan, a rescue we got from a different organisation who we have had for almost three years, as they are concerned about the integration and amalgamation of our donkeys. 'Apparently, under our fostering agreement regarding Wags and Trey, if we amalgamate another donkey outside of Wags and Trey, then Donkey Sanctuary Ireland has the right to take all three donkeys. 'We weren't aware of this aspect of the agreement didn't have a copy of the agreement so we had to get our solicitor on the case. 'If we do not respond within seven days of the papers being served, and in the event that we do not agree to the proposed terms regarding mediation, the Donkey Sanctuary Ireland reserves its right to amend proceedings, if necessary, to include a claim against our other rescue and to fix us with the costs of such proceedings.' She added: 'It's a very worrying and stressful time for both myself and Gerry. Wags, Trey and Stan are all part of the family and it would be heartbreaking to have to separate them. 'Stan is so well settled in now and has been living with Wags and Trey for close to three years now. It would be incredibly unfair to separate them.' In a bid to stop this happening, Gerry and Sandra have started a petition titled 'Save the donkeys from being taken from their home', which has already amassed over 1,736 signatures.
RTÉ News
02-05-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Wicklow couple at risk of losing beloved donkeys amid legal dispute
A legal dispute has arisen over two donkeys being fostered by a couple in Co Wicklow who have started an online petition to prevent Donkey Sanctuary Ireland (DSI) from taking the animals away from them. DSI said it is taking legal action to have the donkeys returned, due to welfare concerns - a claim the couple reject. Gerry and Sandra Kinsella began fostering Wags and Trey 13 years ago and they live on their farm at Brickfield Sidings in Rathnew. Issues between the Kinsellas and DSI started in 2022, following the introduction of the country's first National Equine Census, when it was discovered that Wags and Trey - who originally came to Ireland from the UK - did not have Irish passports. It is a legal requirement for equines coming into Ireland from abroad to be registered here and to get an Irish passport. The couple said they went about rectifying the situation by liaising with the relevant authorities in both the UK and Ireland to secure Irish passports for the donkeys. However, Ms Kinsella said that shortly after they successfully registered Wags and Trey as part of the equine census that the couple "had a visit from the welfare officer from Donkey Sanctuary Ireland, and Gerry told him upfront what we had done to complete the census". "I don't think they were too happy about that, because three days later we started receiving letters looking for the passports back," she added. In a statement to RTÉ News, the DSI said: "The welfare of our donkeys is always our utmost priority. That is why all our guardians must commit to following strict guidelines on matters such as passports, routine healthcare and regular meetings with our welfare advisors. "Unfortunately, in this case, we have grounds for serious concerns about both the conduct of the guardian and the welfare of the donkeys involved. "We do not recognise the order of events and claims published on social media by the guardian. "It is very disappointing to see the Donkey Sanctuary misrepresented in this way, which has the potential to mislead our supporters and seriously undermines the dedication shown by our passionate and committed staff over many years. "We have a duty to protect the welfare of all donkeys in our care. We therefore have no option but to pursue legal proceedings in the hope of settling on a resolution that is in the best interests of the donkeys involved." The Kinsellas reject the claims from DSI, with Ms Kinsella pointing out that "our donkeys are on view 24/7". She said: "If there was a welfare issue, with the amount of people that pass by and come to visit them surely it would have been reported before now. "This is nothing to do with welfare, this is an issue over paperwork, that's all that it is." The Kinsellas said they were served with notice of the legal proceedings just yesterday. "We don't want to go to court. We've been quoted it could cost €25,000 to fight this, and the same from the Donkey Sanctuary side. If we lose it could cost €50,000. What a waste of money for a charitable organisation when these donkeys are so well cared for," Ms Kinsella said. The couple have started an online petition to highlight their campaign. They said there has been fantastic support for them. Mr Kinsella said: "So far we have had nearly 1,400 signatures in ten days." There is also an active social media campaign to highlight the story. The couple said Wags and Trey are a huge part of the local community and that adults and children come to see them from "all over the place". "They pet them, feed them treats ... they bring a source of joy to the whole community," Mr Kinsella said. While Ms Kinsella said the threat of losing the two donkeys is "heartbreaking for us because we love these boys ... they're our family, they're not just donkeys". "We just want to keep them, that's all were interested in," she added.
Irish Independent
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Dispute could see beloved donkeys removed from Wicklow home
Gerry and Sandra Kinsella became the guardians of Wags and Trey 13 years ago, having fostered them from Donkey Sanctuary Ireland, and they currently reside at Brickfield Sidings Farm beside Burke's Hardware in Rathnew. However, Donkey Sanctuary Ireland now wishes to take the donkeys back, claiming they have 'grounds for serious concerns about both the conduct of the guardian and the welfare of the donkeys', claims which the Kinsellas reject. Donkey Sanctuary Ireland said they have issued legal proceedings against the Kinsellas to retrieve the donkeys. Speaking on Tuesday, Mr Kinsella said: 'Our local community knows and loves these donkeys. Children visit them, neighbours stop to say hello, and they bring happiness to many. 'They are happy and well-loved. Despite this, we are now being threatened by the Donkey Sanctuary who are trying to take them away.' He said the issues began in 2021 when the Department of Agriculture carried out Ireland's first National Equine Census, and Gerry and Sandra included Wags and Trey, as they were legally required to do so. Nine months later the department asked for an update on their passports as they were both originally from the UK. The Department of Agriculture states that when a foreign-registered equine moves to live in Ireland, the associated passport must be lodged with an Irish passport issuing organisation within 30 days of coming into the country. Gerry and Sandra maintain that this wasn't carried out by Donkey Sanctuary Ireland. 'I followed their instructions and legally transferred their passports to the Irish Equine Passport Database,' said Gerry. 'This made me their official keeper carer, and we were able to complete the census. 'In doing so, they were removed from the UK database, which the Donkey Sanctuary Ireland had registered them with. In good faith, I informed the Donkey Sanctuary Ireland that I changed Wags' and Trey's passports into Irish passports to complete the equine census.' Since these actions were taken, Gerry says that Donkey Sanctuary Ireland has been trying to take the donkeys back to live with them at their base in Cork. ADVERTISEMENT In a bid to stop this happening, Gerry and Sandra have started a petition titled 'Save the donkeys from being taken from their home', which has already amassed 1,170 signatures. In the plea on the couple state that 'we've always looked after them with love, respect, and responsibility. Now, we're facing the heartbreak of losing them through no fault of their own'. 'If you've ever stopped to say hello, shared an apple, taken a photo, or simply smiled at the sight of them — please sign this petition,' they add. Wicklow Animal Welfare's founder Fiona Gammell is among those who have lent support to the Kinsellas. 'I know the two donkeys from driving past them so regularly,' she said. 'I always felt there were two of the luckiest donkeys in Ireland, because of the beautiful home they were provided with and because you can see just how well they are looked after.' In response to the claims made by the Kinsellas, a spokesperson for Donkey Sanctuary Ireland said: 'The welfare of our donkeys is always our utmost priority. That is why all our guardians must commit to following strict guidelines on matters such as passports, routine healthcare and regular meetings with our welfare advisors. 'We do not recognise the order of events and claims published on social media by the guardian.' The statement claims that this 'undermines the dedication shown by our passionate and committed staff over many years'. 'We have no option but to pursue legal proceedings in the hope of settling on a resolution that is in the best interests of the donkeys involved,' the statement concluded.
