The horse was pulling a sulky, and it’s understood the driver of a car which sustained damage had to be treated at the scene by paramedics with the emergency services. The nearby Old Bridge road was closed for a time following the incident.
Labour Party councillor Michael ‘Chicken’ Brennan described the accident as a “horrendous incident” and raised concerns following several road incidents involving horses on public roads in County Tipperary.
“This incident caused outrage and anger amongst a lot of people across the community, and rightly so,” said Cllr Brennan on Wednesday.
“My thoughts are with everyone affected, including those who witnessed the scene and the emergency services who responded so quickly. This is yet another reminder of the serious dangers posed when sulkies are used on public roads.”
It puts drivers, pedestrians, and the animals themselves at real risk, and this outcome shows how devastating the consequences can be, he said.
“I will be raising this issue with the relevant authorities to push for stronger enforcement and a coordinated approach that prioritises both public safety and animal welfare.
“Our community should not have to face incidents like this again.”
Tipperary County Council, An Garda Síochána, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and child and family agency Tusla, all share some responsibility for how horses are treated on public roads, he said.
“I am putting a motion forward to our council meeting in April. I hope, with the support of all my council colleagues, that this motion will be carried. This would be the first step to bring about an end to this activity on our roads. I would like to thank everyone who has contacted me and highlighted this horrible incident.
“I also will hold a peaceful march to give everyone a chance to show their support that action needs to happen now to ban sulkies on our roads,” added Cllr Brennan.
Cashel-based independent councillor Liam Browne added: “It’s time we began a national debate and conversation about highly regulating the practice of horses and traps on public roads and a complete ban on not only organising but participating in sulky racing.
“A campaign to get real political pressure behind this will start soon.”