Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
DUBLIN CITY COUNCILLORS have unanimously agreed to a motion calling for legal gaps around horse drawn carriages to be “dealt with immediately”.
The emergency motion, brought by Fianna Fáil councillor Deridre Heney, calls on the Transport Minister Eamon Ryan and Minister for Local Government, Housing and Heritage Darragh O’Brien to deal “with the legal lacuna that exists in relation to the non-regulation of Dublin carriage horses”.
Lord Mayor James Geoghan said the unanimity among councillors reflects a desire to “have this legislation introduced as quickly as is humanly possible”.
The motion comes on the back of an incident last month when a horse drawing a carriage collapsed on a road at Christchurch.
Speaking on this incident tonight, Dublin City Council (DCC) manager David Forde said the Council’s animal welfare services are aware of the incident that happened on Saturday, 24 August.
He said that in a follow up operation, a horse was seized in the Dublin 8 area and “removed to a safe place for veterinary care” and that investigations are ongoing.
He noted that a legislative change is required to transfer power to regulate horse drawn carriages to local authorities.
Forde added that the proposed Department of Transport horse drawn carriages Bill was listed as “heads in preparation” on the Government Legislative Programme of Summer 2024
That Bill would repeal the Dublin Carriage Acts 1853-55 and relieve An Garda Síochána of responsibility for the regulation and licensing of horse-drawn carriages in Dublin.
It would also assert the power of local authorities, including Dublin City Council, to regulate horse-drawn carriages within their respective functional areas.
Speaking on the issues at a DCC meeting tonight, Heney said the lack of regulation of horse drawn carriages is creating a “serious and dangerous situation” in Dublin city.
“It’s only a matter of time that someone is going to be fatally injured if we don’t do something about it,” she added.
She noted that DCC currently has no powers to regulate the licensing of horse drawn carriages, nor can it make bylaws to regulate carriage operator licenses or “stipulate that a carriage would actually pass a simple roadworthiness test”.
Listing further legal gas, Heney remarked that DCC can’t make bylaws to “require that a garda vetting of carriage drivers is required, to regulate a driver’s basic ability to operate a carriage, or to ensure a driver has no serious previous road traffic or animal abuse offenses, or that the driver can is actually insured”.
She added that many carriage horse drivers want better regulation on animal welfare and that DCC should be able to regulate maximum working hours for horses and to specify the minimum age of a horse.
“Some very young horses are dragging large amounts around that they’re totally unsuitable for it,” said Heney.
She added: “All of the above makes it very difficult to enforce existing laws because the public does not know which driver or carriage to report, or how or who to report a concern to.”
Remarking on the incident at Christchurch, Geoghan said: “If now doesn’t move the dial, I don’t know what will.”
Meanwhile, Cllr Cieran Perry said it “shouldn’t take a disgraceful incident like this to progress the issue” and Ray McAdam cautioned that “we are seeing very young kids who are not fit to control these wonderful animals, trying to control them”.
Elsewhere, Jen Cummins said she is often contacted about the “poor treatment of horses” and added that the “speed with which horses are driven in the city is dangerous” and she also expressed concern about the age of those driving the carriages.
Máire Devine meanwhile said the “legislation is sitting there in the Dáil and needs to be acted on by the powers that be”.
She added that manure from the horses is another big issue related to this and that “kids going to school are treading in it”.
Ammar Ali also remarked that it shouldn’t have taken the incident in Christchurch for action to be taken and that he often sees the horses being treated badly.
However, Hazel De Nortúin said that it was brought before the Council up to seven years ago and that carriage drivers have approached her asking for great regulation and that the issue “shouldn’t be kicked to touch again”.
Daithí Doolan also picked up this point and said the issue has been raised “time and time again” over the years.
Both Doolan and Janice Boylan noted that many horse owners “look after their animals impeccably and they shouldn’t be worried about legislation”.
“That will only enhance their standing and they can set a gold standard for the maintenance of horses,” said Doolan.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
I don’t understand how in this day and age people, authorities and the dspca can’t see how cruel it is to make these horses live that life. Standing around city streets only able to look forward and then dragging heavy tourists around the place all day. It’s no life for the poor horses. I’m really surprised the dspca aren’t pushing to end this horrible tourist thing
@Chimo Spinola: it’s awful. they have them dragging people around busy roads around christchurch stuck behind noisy buses and trucks belching out fumes. it should be stopped immediately, i’ve never seen it in any other european city.
@Chimo Spinola: yes it’s terrible on the Brazilian’s too.
@eoin fitzpatrick: I took a 6.year climate class and I would like to ask what do you mean by belching out fumes? I don’t understand what you are saying
I have a guilty fantasy, and given that it’s after midnight I’m inclined to share: I have visions of ‘Transport Minister’ Eamon Ryan pulling a sulky containing Micky Martin and Simple Simon up Misery Hill forever (rather like the work of Sisyphus), the place where – in the halcyon days – corpses of traitors could be left on display for up to 12 months
@Marie Power: for a second I saw Ricky Martin and “She Bangs” started ringing in me head
@eoin fitzpatrick: Have you not been to southern Spain?
@Marie Power: I’d be talking to my doctor about the medication they’re prescribing me in that case. Normally I don’t remember my dreams so clearly.
@Chimo Spinola: should saddles and pony trekking be banned? Jarveys in Killarney? If properly looked after there shouldn’t be a problem. As for blinkers, they’re to stop the horses from being distracted. They’ve been in use for hundreds of years. Regulation yes, banning no.
@Chimo Spinola: If Diarmuid wanted to be a real journalist, he might consider asking real questions. Unfortunately he seems to be a useless waste of space who will never amount to anything. Such a sad and hopeless life.
@Oretani Wildlife: been to Seville, cadiz, murcia, cartagena, lots of other places never saw horses bringing people around busy roads no
@YKwkSIqW: and your life is not sad and hopeless? Seems sad and hopeless that all you do is leave comments about someone trying to make a few quid doing their job. Get a grip ya clown. Your the sad person
@Michael o Dwyer: I’m not the one getting paid pretending to be a journalist. You seem lost and confused. And trust me, my grip is very firm. You cr3tinous f00l ; )
@Michael o Dwyer: Also… what you should have typed was “you’re”. As in… You’re the sad person. The irony is probably lost on one such as yourself, lacking in intelligence as you quite obviously seem to be. Run along now, boy.
@YKwkSIqW: oh wow the grammar police. Get a grip you clown. Go out and do something productive with your day instead of being sad and angry cos your life is not going the way you wanted it to.
@Michael o Dwyer: Try taking your own advice, eejit. You seem angry. Go do a few laps… in traffic. You’ll feel better after, I promise.
@Michael o Dwyer: I’m bored of your unintelligent replies now. Best of luck!
@eoin fitzpatrick: A quick Google search of “Horse drawn carriage” London, Paris and Rome all showed the service available in each of them.
@YKwkSIqW: He is reporting on a council motion that relates to Dublin city. That is what journalists do, report what politicians are doing and planning.
Not every report will be Pulitzer Prize material.
Thats his piece he is saving for next week!
@YKwkSIqW: trying to sound like you are intelligent. Comical. Your insult from the first message sums you right up. Lol
@Michael o Dwyer: If you’re going to question the intelligence of others, try learning the difference between your and you’re. You absolute pathetic excuse for a man. Laughable.
Passed a sulky on the main road the other day. Horse looked flogged. Three kids just throwing rubbish onto the road behind them. Can’t understand how this is allowed to happen.
@Alan: You try doing it and your feet won’t touch the ground on your way to the Joy!
@Alan: why is thís treatment of the horses allowed tó happen. Are these drivers not regulated that poor horse hé didnt deserve it. Why are there nó regulations and rules.
But the horse drawn “carriages” being driven up and down the main roads every day of the week are ok though?
Culture boss
@P. V. Aglue: it isn’t. These are inner city townies doing it.
@eoin fitzpatrick: They cone from a historical line of Jarvies in Dublin. Same as in London!
Driving northbound on Gardiner St 2 nights ago driving past a bus turning left on the outside lane… boom horse drawn carriage jumps a red light and we had a perform an emergency stop… then minutes later that night up Drumcondra Rd pitch dark patch with horse drawn carriage no lights… Coldplay playing in Croker. How they evaded garda attention I don’t know. they couldn’t give a monkeys about anyone else’s safety. Both instances fully grown adults
Ok boss.
saw one of these vile individuals get down from his carriage one day in parliament street and proceed to kick his horse in the stomach because the horse wouldnt move, i was horrified as was everyone in the street… no doubt he was licensed. Wont say what I believe most of these guys are as id be slated on here but their carry on in traffic and demeanor speaks volumes. more regulation needed big time
They should have the same rules as taxis
There is absolutely no need in this day and age for animals to be “working” or to be used for our entertainment. Dairy, beef etc is still a long way off and another topic entirely. but there is no need to exploit them for gain in the tourist/entertainment industries (horses, greyhounds, dogs etc).
Killarney is disgraceful for it also. I can’t understand how stupid people are using horses, ponies and donkeys for tourism. It’s never a good thing.
Ok you lot stop horsing around
@Ned: you better rein in your comment
@Means Of Escape: Whoa
Always the cart before the horse.
have your say