€4m awarded to horse charities in DAFM animal welfare grants
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine provided funding of almost €6.5 million to 94 animal welfare charities, which included over €4 million to horse-related charities.
This funding was granted in December under the Animal Welfare Grants programme.
The figures were provided by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon this week.
The minister was responding to a parliamentary question from Fianna Fáil TD Christopher O'Sullivan, who asked Minister Heydon if his attention has been drawn to the recent animal cruelty reports due to illegal harness racing and sulky racing on Irish roads.
Minister Heydon replied: "My department strongly condemns the mistreatment of any animal and takes the matter of animal welfare most seriously.
"Neglect of or causing unnecessary suffering to animals is not acceptable in our society."
The minister added: "In December 2025, my department provided funding of almost €6.5 million to 94 animal welfare charities throughout the country, under the Animal Welfare Grants programme.
"Of that figure, just over €4 million was awarded to charities involved in the care and welfare of horses."
Sulky racing
Separately, Aontú’s Limerick councillor Sarah Beasley called out the practice of sulky racing, describing it as “cruelty of the highest order”.
Cllr. Beasley cited a recent incident, saying: “A pregnant mare named Anne died after being whipped and pushed for miles during an illegal sulky drive across Dublin before being abandoned on a road in Ballyfermot, still attached to her sulky.
“Somebody has to call this out for exactly what it is. This is not culture. This is cruelty.
“It is endangering animals and human lives, because we know that sulky racing is taking place on busy national roads as well as more rural ones.
"Can you just imagine the carnage that would be caused if one of these sulkies careered into the path of drivers or pedestrians? The horrors of this are just unimaginable."
The councillor noted that "the spotlight" is on scramblers and their use on public roads, "which is also illegal, and action is being taken to stamp this out for once and for all".
"But sulky driving is equally as deadly, both to the unfortunate animals and the public," she added.
Horse ownership
Cllr. Beasley acknowledged the value of horse ownership in communities.
She said: "I want to be absolutely clear: I respect a community's connection to horses and recognise the mental health benefits and cultural importance of horse ownership.
“Many care deeply for their animals and ride with respect. However, many clearly don’t, and it is beyond unacceptable that people are not speaking out on this issue.
"I'm not calling out any community. I'm calling out an activity that kills horses, endangers the public, and enriches criminals."
Cllr. Beasley mentioned that the government's Animal Welfare Strategy 2026-2030 is currently being developed, and recommended “statutory prohibition of sulky racing and training now”.
"We need proper tracks for regulated harness racing,” she said.
“We need enforcement with real consequences. We need to stop horses like Anne from dying in agony on our streets.
"The time for dancing around this issue is over. It is cruelty of the highest order, and I will continue to fight against it.”
