HRI 'shocked' at RTÉ revelations on equine industry

Horse Racing Ireland has said it will actively support any Department of Agriculture or garda investigation following revelations by RTÉ Investigates into the Irish and European equine industries.

Illegal activities to launder the identities of horses and compromise the integrity of the human food chain were uncovered at a site connected to Ireland's only active abattoir for horses.

In recent weeks the Department of Agriculture and Gardaí conducted searches at Shannonside Foods Ltd in Straffan, County Kildare - and other properties which are associated with the family of John Joe Fitzpatrick, who operates the business.

The Department has said its investigations are ongoing and that these may impact on the operations of the plant.

In statement, HRI said it was "deeply shocked and appalled by the content of the RTÉ Investigates documentary".

It said: "HRI has zero tolerance for mistreatment of horses in any circumstance and criminal and regulatory sanction must be imposed on anyone found to have behaved in an illegal way towards horses.

"Equine safety and care is HRI's top priority, and this year HRI will invest €16.1 million in welfare and integrity services.

"The thoroughbred horse is enshrined in Irish and EU law. Significant legal and regulatory checks and balances are in place for thoroughbred horses from birth through their racing career and life cycle.

HRI said it will will review the issues raised and will actively support any Department of Agriculture or garda investigation, and urge anyone with information about mistreatment of horses to report it to An Garda Síochána.

The focus of RTÉ Investigates’ covert filming was a building used by Shannonside Foods Ltd in Straffan.

During this, undercover cameras captured one of the