Serious Abuse of Horses Uncovered at Irish Abattoir

Summary:
A recent RTÉ investigation has uncovered significant animal welfare abuses at Ireland’s only licensed equine abattoir in Kildare, operated by Shannonside Foods. Hidden cameras revealed horses being subjected to brutal treatments, including being hit, whipped, and prodded with pitchforks. One horse was filmed struggling for hours before dying. The investigation highlighted that many of these horses were former thoroughbred racehorses, some having earned millions for their owners. Despite receiving substantial state support, the racing industry faces scrutiny for the fate of these horses. The Department of Agriculture has stated it will investigate any evidence of illegal activity, although its jurisdiction does not cover the lairage where these incidents were recorded.