Senator Calls For Ban On Sulkies On Public Roads After "Horrendous Incident" In The Curragh

Thursday, 30 March 2023 15:22

By Caoimhe Harney

Fiona O'Loughlin said the operators of sulkies seem to get off "scot" free

A Fianna Fáil Senator has called for a ban on sulkies being used on public roads following an incident in Kildare which saw a horse be euthanised.

A sulky driver near the Curragh drove over a cattle grid which resulted in the horse's hoof getting stuck between the grids resulting in the horse being euthanised.

The incident was brought to the attention of Senator O’Loughlin by an animal welfare organisation, My Lovely Horse Rescue.

Sulky Horse

Speaking in the Seanad today, Senator Fiona O’Loughlin commented:“For too long now we have let sulky drivers use our public roads with no regard for the safety of themselves, other road users, or their horses.

"It’s time we moved to ban sulkies on public roads. There appears to be a complete disregard for the safety of the horses these people drive on sulkies.

"This is highlighted by a horrendous incident in Kildare this week but is happening all over the country where we see sulky races at all hours of the morning endangering human life and the horses' lives," she insisted.

Senator O’Loughlin pointed out how those involved with horse racing are under huge scrutiny in terms of horse welfare yet those operating sulkies seem to get off scot-free.

“When you consider that very close to where this incident happened, there are many that are involved in the horse racing industry, and they quite rightly are under a lot of scrutiny in relation to horse welfare.

"However, to my mind it appears the real horse welfare issue in the country lies with those operating sulkies and keeping horses in urban settings,” said Senator O’Loughlin.

Martina Kenny, Co - Founder, My Lovely Horse joined Eoin Beatty on Friday's Kildare Today: