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Over 50 horses seized from Cork site

The carcasses of three horses were also removed from the Hollyhill site on the north side of Cork city.

Updated 22:17

THE DEPARTMENT OF Agriculture, the gardaí and Cork City Council this morning seized over 50 horses from the Hollyhill area of Cork City.

The joint operation also discovered the carcasses of three horses.

The Department says that there have been ongoing welfare concerns in relation to the horse sector over the past 12 months arising from the over-production of horses and the presence of unidentified horses on both public and private lands.

More than 3,000 horses have been seized throughout the country so far this year. Some 247 horses have been impounded in the Cork area.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney said that there had been problems with horses across the northside of Cork City in Gurranabraher, Hollyhill, Knocknaheeny and Nash’s Boreeen. Dead horses have been found at the sites, causing health concerns.

The Department says that there are horses grazing on NAMA and local authority lands in the area.

The Minister said that his department and Cork City Council have been working to prevent the emergence of a welfare problem over coming months and had decided to take this action, which is aimed at removing the horses, evaluating their welfare and checking on their identification.

The horses impounded will not be released unless the owner can provide proof that they have a passport, have paid the appropriate fees and have access to lands registered under the equine regulations.

Originally published 14:29

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137 Comments
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    Mute Popcorn
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    Nov 19th 2013, 2:47 PM

    Travellers expect every support and entitlement from society without any consideration of contributing to it. Parasites of the highest order.

    708
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    Mute declan hamill
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    Nov 19th 2013, 3:27 PM

    eliminated from society? good man why don’t write a book about your struggle

    51
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    Mute Luke Sullivan
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    Nov 19th 2013, 3:46 PM

    Mein Horsey?

    154
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    Mute I love my County
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    Nov 19th 2013, 4:02 PM

    Declan, I was thinking maybe just find an island and ship them all out there…. can’t see the book been a seller to be honest!

    87
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    Mute Liam Dempsey
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    Nov 19th 2013, 4:51 PM

    Have a look at sulky racing on you tube, also pony left dead on side of road, make up your own mind.

    185
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    Mute Stephen Murphy
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    Nov 19th 2013, 4:52 PM

    Plenty of Islands, out there and they’d solve a lot of problems!

    84
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    Mute Tordel Back
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    Nov 19th 2013, 5:09 PM

    It’s hard to believe that in 2013 I’m reading someone writing …”these people hiding behind ‘Ethnic Culture’ should be eliminated from society in my view”, and then “… I was thinking maybe just find an island and ship them all out there…”. It wouldn’t look out of place in the worst anti-semitic screeds of the 1930s. You should be ashamed of yourself, I Love My Country.

    43
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    Mute Luke Sullivan
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    Nov 19th 2013, 5:20 PM

    Oh, I’d say there’s a very good chance Tordei that the majority in this country would happily see the back of travellers. Personally, I wouldn’t like to see it, yet, I wouldn’t miss them if they were gone either.

    166
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    Mute Edmond O'Connor
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    Nov 19th 2013, 5:28 PM

    You’ve got problems mate! You should go talk to someone!

    7
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    Mute Brendan Ryan
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    Nov 19th 2013, 5:33 PM

    I don’t like the term ‘knacker’, it implies that they have some level of skill! Knackers and tinkers were highly skilled and mostly well respected. I think we need a new word!

    189
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    Mute Taxi Bill
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    Nov 19th 2013, 5:41 PM

    What the hell is a “settled traveller” a traveller is someone who moves from place, since 99% of “travellers” dont move, as the government have spent well over a billion euros over the past 15 years, to provide accommodation. so the ones that live in “settled” accommodation are just Irish people.

    127
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    Mute margaret
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    Nov 19th 2013, 8:07 PM

    In the 70′s some politican’s solution was to steralise them all and ship them to the Aran Islands.
    The Aran islanders were not pleased.

    70
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    Mute margaret
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    Nov 19th 2013, 8:09 PM

    I think “traveller” fills that gap. Every Irish person knows exactly what that means. And it can be said in polite society.

    41
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    Mute Victoria Murphy
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    Nov 19th 2013, 9:25 PM

    Fifty horses have just been impounded. What would you have said about their owners exactly

    36
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    Mute Liam Dempsey
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    Nov 19th 2013, 11:11 PM

    Some people just don’t get it. Do you not believe in what you see. Wake up.I am repeating my self . Go look at YouTube,sulkys racing in cork and tell me what you see. Maybe that lady from revenue should have a look as well, seen that she is after the law abiding citizen for local property tax. Maybe she could get some revenue from them seen the vehicles they are driving.40 years working I could afford it.

    56
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    Mute Liam Dempsey
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    Nov 19th 2013, 11:44 PM

    You don’t know your history, Tordel

    28
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    Mute Liam Dempsey
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    Nov 19th 2013, 11:46 PM

    You don’t know your history, Tordel.

    20
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    Mute Tordel Back
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    Nov 20th 2013, 9:23 AM

    Apparently more than you, Noel, if you can’t see that advocating the ‘elimination’ of a group of people from society by deporting them to an island has direct parallels for the racial politics of the ’30s. Do you think the average German was thinking of gas chambers when they wrote and talked and voted about getting rid of the Jews? No, just shuttling them off somewhere, out of sight and out of mind, just like the majoroty of people on this thread. And look where those attitudes led, what they actually meant for humanity.

    We will only ever address the problems caused by elements of the Travelling community by addressing the problems of the Travelling community as a whole, not by dehumanising them and fantasising about their ‘elimination’.

    2
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    Mute Tordel Back
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    Nov 20th 2013, 9:25 AM

    That was meant to be addressed to Liam Dempsey, not ‘Noel’. Obviously have Noel Dempsey on the brain.

    1
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    Mute Liam Dempsey
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    Nov 20th 2013, 11:17 PM

    I didn’t say anything about eliminating anybody, I /we are the victims here, we pay they take, will you wake up for god sake Tordel, All done now,no more comments I think I’m wasting my time.

    2
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    Mute Nigel Sinnott
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    Nov 19th 2013, 2:53 PM

    And none of them look like the one in the picture.

    403
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    Mute Stephen Murphy
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    Nov 19th 2013, 4:51 PM

    I lived on the road, next to this site and I often wondered? Where they got the money, for feed and equine equipment on the dole? Never mind the new vans, horse boxes and can the bleeding heart brigade answer that?

    394
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    Mute Foxys van
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    Nov 19th 2013, 4:59 PM

    From selling horses and whatever else isn’t nailed down I’m guessing

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    Mute Foxys van
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    Nov 19th 2013, 5:06 PM

    But if the politicians had their way the horse would have tax & insurance disc hanging of him and an nct every year

    53
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    Mute Luke Sullivan
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    Nov 19th 2013, 5:18 PM

    They get it from legitimate hard work and graft Stephen. Your legitimate hard work and graft.

    341
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    Mute Yup
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    Nov 19th 2013, 5:28 PM

    @ Stephen – I’d be generally considered one of the bleeding heart brigade but that doesn’t make me a supported of all injustices. If there are certain people in society that choose not to live by the laws and have no respect we’ll be a long time waiting for that to change.

    Why did it take so long for the animals to be taken away if there were already three dead? Why are they getting away with being on the dole and yet clearly have assets to show there is other income? Did you report that there were animals being abused?

    I’m a realist and there are always going to be people who will not follow the laws of civilised society but we are supposedly the people IN civilised society that should be fighting against the injustices. Bleeding heart? Maybe, but surely more productive that “ship them all off to an island on their own”

    65
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    Mute frank griffin
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    Nov 19th 2013, 5:59 PM

    this is one for the enda kenny and mr gilmore they know there is nothing that the government do not know need i say any more

    5
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    Mute Richie Rodgers
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    Nov 19th 2013, 7:14 PM

    Frank
    Perhaps you would try again as your post is completely incomprehensible !

    84
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    Mute Stephen Murphy
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    Nov 19th 2013, 7:15 PM

    If they can’t conform to society’s rules, wish to operate a black market economy and do what they like? Then they should consider an Island somewhere, start their own society and live by their own rules!

    104
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    Mute Patricia Ann McCarthy Moore
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    Nov 19th 2013, 8:22 PM

    More Horse Burger anyone? That Coveney gang are at it again. Robbing horses and sending them to Romania and Hungary to be slaughtered. In a week or two they will appear on the shelves in Tesco, marked as pure Irish beefcake with flavouring added.

    16
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    Mute John Doee
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    Nov 20th 2013, 12:19 AM

    Price of burgers should come down now

    12
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    Mute Noelette Quinn
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    Nov 21st 2013, 1:49 PM

    Is that not what they have done

    1
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    Mute Ricky Spanish
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    Nov 19th 2013, 2:42 PM

    And so the overstretched horse sanctuaries will be hit harder just so the true Irish natives can enjoy “their culture”.

    362
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    Mute Stephen Murphy
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    Nov 19th 2013, 4:53 PM

    Hay with your burger, sir?

    15
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    Mute Scrap Croke Park1
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    Nov 19th 2013, 2:42 PM

    I can picture some Sulky owners getting in a huff over this

    289
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    Mute Vincent F
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    Nov 19th 2013, 4:49 PM

    SVP will give them money for new ones so they will be ok!

    209
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    Mute fusha2020
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    Nov 19th 2013, 7:13 PM

    surely they’d just sulk?

    37
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    Mute John
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    Nov 19th 2013, 2:47 PM

    Wonder will Pavee Point have anything to say on this? Don’t think so!

    248
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    Mute Emilio
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    Nov 19th 2013, 3:09 PM

    You are assuming those are traveller-owned horses… now now, that’s racist of you… :P

    37
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    Mute John
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    Nov 19th 2013, 3:12 PM

    Whats a “traveller” , is that like your man George Clooney in the film up in the air were he travels all over the world for a living?

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    Mute Emilio
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    Nov 19th 2013, 3:14 PM

    Yes, exactly that. Not.

    31
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    Mute Despicable You
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    Nov 19th 2013, 4:27 PM

    He’s assuming correctly.

    43
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    Mute Emilio
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    Nov 19th 2013, 6:46 PM

    You lot don’t get my sense of humour. Although I keep hearing it is very irish. Go figure.

    19
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    Mute Clodagh Carroll
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    Nov 19th 2013, 7:02 PM

    Emilio, too long in Ireland, you’ve become ‘more Irish than the Irish themselves’ with that level of sarcastic humour! Think some readers missed the joke completely…

    20
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    Mute margaret
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    Nov 19th 2013, 8:11 PM

    Don’t worry Emilio. I got it!

    22
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    Mute Despicable You
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    Nov 19th 2013, 2:36 PM

    It’s their culture boss, Don’t have the shades be taking the hosses from them.

    226
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    Mute Jimmy
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    Nov 19th 2013, 4:58 PM

    Its discrimination is what it is.

    12
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    Mute Joan O'Brien
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    Nov 19th 2013, 4:18 PM

    I’m delighted this issue is being highlighted in the news, it’s depressing to think that we heading into another winter where animals will die of cold and hunger. These horses did not ask to be brought into this world, their owners are entirely responsible for their welfare. The trouble in this country is that there are not enough resources put into chasing up these owners and prosecuting them for neglect. The equine charities end up being swamped every year looking for donations of straw and hay from responsible owners to care for the animals of any idiot who fancies having a horse.

    146
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    Mute Stefan
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    Nov 19th 2013, 2:46 PM

    F**k your Honda Civic iv a horse outside …. Ehhh not anymore it got impounded for illegal grazing …

    134
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    Mute Luke Sullivan
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    Nov 19th 2013, 3:17 PM

    If there are genuine welfare concerns, and evidence of mistreatment, then they should be seized,

    If they don’t have the proper paperwork or the horse passports then they don’t get to keep horses. Simples.

    Of course the reason they don’t have the paperwork is so they don’t have to accept responsibility for the animal in the first place when something like this happens.

    Tough.

    127
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    Mute Jutta Beinker
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    Nov 19th 2013, 4:08 PM

    I would agree with you Luke, were it not that these horses will be killed in the pound.To the minister and his cronies, it’s simple another money making opportunity. Why do you think rescues aaround ireland are trying to get to these poor animals before the government? You can’t really expect a country that is considdering to allow every eejit to dock their puppies tail without so much of anesthesia or proper equipment, to care about something as expensive as horses?

    34
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    Mute Cormac Ryan
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    Nov 19th 2013, 4:24 PM

    Why are you so against euthanasia? I’m tired of these ‘charities’ complaining that they can’t keep the horses, a bit of practical thinking goes a long way.
    There’s now legislation that horses can only be kept on registered ground. This will help prevent horses been grazed on greens and roadside.

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    Mute Golden Bryan
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    Nov 19th 2013, 4:50 PM

    How is it a money making opportunity ? It costs a fortune to round up these animals and put them down.

    46
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    Mute Steven Geoghegan
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    Nov 19th 2013, 3:06 PM

    Horses are gracious lovely animals unlike some of the miserable excuses posting attention seeking comments here…grow up

    112
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    Mute Stephen Murphy
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    Nov 19th 2013, 4:55 PM

    Not a bad looking old horse yourself, do you come with a saddle?

    39
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    Mute Right Wing Steve ©
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    Nov 19th 2013, 3:04 PM

    I wonder what pavee point have to say about it

    92
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    Mute andrew
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    Nov 19th 2013, 3:38 PM

    Cultural discrimination

    16
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    Mute Jutta Beinker
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    Nov 19th 2013, 4:11 PM

    maybe some time for ‘cultural’ education mate???

    24
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    Mute andrew
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    Nov 19th 2013, 4:30 PM

    Who are you? The Lone Ranger?

    21
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    Mute margaret
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    Nov 19th 2013, 8:16 PM

    They will say “some irresponsible horse owners should not tar all horseowners with the one brush” .
    The two responsible horseowners in the Traveller community have been tarred with the brush of the 32,000 irresponsible ones. Shame on us!!

    56
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    Mute fusha2020
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    Nov 19th 2013, 6:43 PM

    its disgusting is what is is!! Those poor, poor horses used, abused and now awaiting their fate, because some spare pr1cks, who gets away with everything and has even more handed to them on a plate didn’t have the decency to surrender them or to ask for help, it couldnt of been that hard could it?? NO. So instead you left them to rot and starve and suffer. but is not your problem now is it? just like when you expect other people to clean up your crap when you move on, now someone else has got to take care of your animals when the are no longer making you money or serving whatever prupose you had them for in the first place. you are not travelers or itinerants you are knackers in the truest sense of the word, you dont even have the decency to be ashamed of yourself!! filth ,

    90
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    Mute Steven Geoghegan
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    Nov 19th 2013, 4:22 PM

    Firstly horses have served the world extremely well over the ages and continue to do so in lots of ways..as for being useless as one moronic idiot stated here… They are great recreational creatures also they are very therapeutic for some and also very entertaining and of course the races which the majority of the population here enjoy.. so when some say burger meat I would put you in that dubious category

    63
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    Mute Martin Hamilton
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    Nov 19th 2013, 3:58 PM

    Apple computers probably put some pressure on to get these horses removed as much as any environmental or health concerns minister Coveney had, the horses are usually all over the roads by their european headquarters

    63
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    Mute Patricia Ann McCarthy Moore
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    Nov 19th 2013, 2:33 PM

    Does this mean the Coveneys are going back into the Horse Burger business.

    52
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    Mute Ricky Spanish
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    Nov 19th 2013, 3:16 PM

    Those pop sounds are my sides splitting….. please, stop being sooooo funny!

    58
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    Mute Dee4
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    Nov 19th 2013, 2:52 PM

    Im glad there is a picture of a horse for this story, i had no idea what they looked like. Its a bit like The Sun on one of the Channel tunnel stories with a big arrow saying “here is France”

    49
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    Mute Emilio
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    Nov 19th 2013, 3:14 PM

    The average The Sun reader is glad as well.

    46
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    Mute Dee4
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    Nov 19th 2013, 3:54 PM

    true! , I hope The Journal has a higher expectation of its readers?

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    Mute Luke Sullivan
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    Nov 19th 2013, 5:19 PM

    But, who is taking the horse to France Dee4?

    8
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    Mute Paul Byrne
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    Nov 19th 2013, 6:03 PM

    knackers

    37
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    Mute Angela Faney
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    Nov 19th 2013, 3:54 PM

    all owners and breeders should have to have a licence to own a horse like people do have to have for dogs dave mitchell your an idiot,, i wouldnt call the likes of frankel sea the stars and kauto star useless they won mega bucks for their owners

    31
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    Mute Cormac Ryan
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    Nov 19th 2013, 4:27 PM

    Its call a horse passport…every horse should have one
    all drugs administered to the horse over its lifetime should be recorded in this and it also is a requirement when taking the horse to a slaughterhouse

    42
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    Mute Stephen Murphy
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    Nov 19th 2013, 7:21 PM

    I made that suggestion to Coveney, in a letter and got the usual response. I suggested a licensing system, similar to the vehicle one in operation for animals and a different grade for different animal. You’d have to do a theory test, in animal care and produce a certificate for animals classed as dangerous or special handling. It’d be easy to set up, duplicate an already existing system and you’ll sort the animal lovers from the profiteers!

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    Mute Joan O'Brien
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    Nov 19th 2013, 9:59 PM

    Well said Stephen.

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    Mute Emma J. Uí Shluaigh
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    Nov 19th 2013, 8:02 PM

    About time. I’ve phoned animal welfare, I’ve even contacted via fb, regarding horses I’ve seen on the north side and now a year later they decide to do something. Its a disgrace.

    28
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    Mute Silent Majority
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    Nov 19th 2013, 3:31 PM

    The Dept. OF Agriculture, in conjunction with Tesco Value Meals, this morning seized over 50 horses from the Hollyhill area of Cork City.

    25
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    Mute Kenneth
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    Nov 20th 2013, 12:07 AM

    Just round up the owners and put them down too and everybody wins

    23
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    Mute Luke Sullivan
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    Nov 20th 2013, 12:15 AM

    Instead they’ll put the horses down and the UN will recognise travellers as an ‘Ethnic group’ with all the trappings of that instead. Mark my words, it’ll happen.

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    Mute dave mitchell
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    Nov 19th 2013, 3:18 PM

    Im not blaming the horse for being a horse. I am blaming the morons that keep horse’s in this day and age. They serve no purpose and it is cruelty.

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    Mute Avina Laaf
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    Nov 20th 2013, 12:40 AM

    *horses (plural therefore no apostrophe required)

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    Mute Terry Harris
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    Nov 20th 2013, 11:18 PM

    The same applies to a lot of so called human beings!!!

    1
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    Mute Sarah O'Sullivan
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    Nov 19th 2013, 7:58 PM

    Ridiculous that this is being turned into an anti-Traveller argument when there are as many settled people responsible for the dire state of horse welfare due to over-producing horses during the Celtic Tiger. This is a countrywide issue not restricted to any one ethnic group.

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    Mute Luke Sullivan
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    Nov 19th 2013, 8:20 PM

    The horses seized today – 50 according to the article, were seized in well known traveller sites in Cork. I know the sites listed, as do most Corkonians.

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    Mute Sarah O'Sullivan
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    Nov 20th 2013, 7:50 AM

    Yes, and the reporting of this incident and the ignoring of the bigger problem totally skews the real issue.

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    Mute Gary Cairnduff
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    Nov 19th 2013, 2:39 PM

    McDonald’s must be short on burgers

    16
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    Mute Leslie Alan Rock
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    Nov 19th 2013, 3:11 PM

    Someday. With a lot of hope and a lot of training, I wish I could be as funny as you

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    Mute Gary Cairnduff
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    Nov 19th 2013, 7:18 PM

    You’re gonna need a sh1t load of training and help then u dry sh1te

    19
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    Mute Four Twenty
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    Nov 19th 2013, 7:32 PM

    why did they only take the over 50 horses?

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    Mute Jack Green
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    Nov 19th 2013, 5:54 PM

    Lovely Irish people. So proud not to be Irish.

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    Mute John-paul Soupbox
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    Nov 19th 2013, 5:25 PM

    They don’t need passports can they not tell by their cork accent they’re irish

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    Mute Larry Bird
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    Nov 19th 2013, 3:36 PM

    Norries

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    Mute dave mitchell
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    Nov 19th 2013, 2:58 PM

    Horrible stinking animals of a different age. Should be all put on the shelves of your local supermarket.

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    Mute Paul Somers
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    Nov 19th 2013, 4:08 PM

    @dave mitchell, you really are showing your true colors today.

    The sad fact is that unless the owner can provide proof that they have a passport under the equine regulations the horses maybe culled if no home is found for them.

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    Mute Anna Coconut-Coote
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    Nov 19th 2013, 9:13 PM

    The level of bigotry & racial slander on here is unbelievable. These horses are not abused or in bad condition & actually well looked after in most cases. It’s disgusting, I actually feel sick that these poor beautiful animals will be murdered just because their owners can’t afford the necessary papers & microchips. Even if they want to get them back they won’t be allowed to now as I guarantee 95% of them don’t have papers or the means to get them. These horses are on NAMA LAND, unused by anyone else, ‘equine registered grazing’ my ass.. What does that even mean?? It’s pure racism against Travellers who have seen over 80% of their funding for education, housing etc taken away over the last few years with a life expectancy of less than 60 years…
    How many people making anti-traveller comments on here have licences for their dogs or tvs or are driving cars without nct or tax???
    Are you forgetting we are talking about living, breathing animals here!??
    These animals have been stolen from their rightful owners to scare monger them into making sure they get as much money out of them as possible for future horses they might have.
    Make no mistake, they will not end up in sanctuaries, the majority will be put to sleep in 5 days as their owners can’t afford to microchip them etc or pay the impound fees… ie buy their own horses back…
    This is NOT a welfare issue it is another example of how Ireland has lost its soul & is abusing US ALL…

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    Mute Ricky Spanish
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    Nov 19th 2013, 9:29 PM

    Do you have any shred of proof to back up anything you said?

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    Mute Joan O'Brien
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    Nov 19th 2013, 10:17 PM

    I’m not sure where to start with a reply to you Anna, but here goes anyway. First of all it boils down to finances and you need to be pretty well off to be a horse owner, it is not just a case of having access to a bit of land that entitles you to own a horse, grass is only nutritious enough for a few months of the year and the rest of the year horse needs ad lib access to hay, they need shelter from wind and rain, they need a farrier to trim their feet every 6/8 weeks, they need worming periodically, they need dental care. Horses have different needs according to breed and temperment, some may suffer from over nutrition and others may need supplementary feeding. It’s not racism, it’s ‘elitism’, if you are not well off enough to own and care properly for a horse and at the very least micro chip and register them then don’t have one, simple as that.

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    Mute Joan O'Brien
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    Nov 19th 2013, 10:35 PM

    Also to Anna, euthanasia is certainly more humane than leaving horses out on the side of the mountain during a harsh winter to fend for themselves, this happens all over the country and it makes me sick having to be politically correct about any ethnic group who would choose to do this. Also the total lack of responsibility of mixing stallions and mares to perpetuate the problem only for the animal welfare groups to have to pick up the pieces (literally sometimes) and after much suffering has been endured.

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    Mute Anna Coconut-Coote
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    Nov 20th 2013, 9:54 AM

    No ‘proof’ only my own experience, what I’ve grown up with & seen with my own eyes… Where is the proof for anything else said on here???

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    Mute Anna Coconut-Coote
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    Nov 20th 2013, 10:12 AM

    I agree with you 100% about abused & starving horses but you are completely missing the point… These horses are NOT abused & starving or left on a hillside to die. These are gypsy cobs & a totally different breed to your racehorses thoroughbreds… They are extremely hardy & robust… They are hairy & put down their own reserves of fat for the winter!! We live in Ireland, the grass grows here 10 months of the year, they do not need blankets & are happy to find whatever shelter nature provides… Just like their ancestors did since the dawn of time!! I grew up with horses my whole life, good strong working horses.. Not one of them was ever chipped or registered but every one of them was looked after better than most humans. Travellers have had horses with them since they were born & I guarantee that most know how to look after their horses very well including shoeing them.. And if they don’t they know someone who does!! It doesn’t take a whole lot of money either… Yes they do need a bit of hay in the Winter when it shows, wormer, lice treatement etc but it’s not elitist to own a horse & only meant for the rich as you imply!!!

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    Mute Anna Coconut-Coote
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    Nov 20th 2013, 10:41 AM

    These horses are bred to live on the side of a road & pull wagons & carts, their dna knows hard times & they thrive… They know how to survive & need very little to do so believe me! Open your eyes people, this is not a ‘welfare issue’ as you are all so happy to be led to believe… There ARE plenty of welfare issues don’t get me wrong & travellers are just as capable of cruelty as anyone else… But I’ve seen plenty of animals left hungry & abused by non-travellers too!!

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    Mute Robert Daly
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    Nov 20th 2013, 11:43 AM

    Didn’t they find 3 DEAD ones ???? They were hardly THRIVING !!!!! ?

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    Mute Anna Coconut-Coote
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    Nov 20th 2013, 12:40 PM

    I didn’t say these ones are thriving but they certainly looked healthy & in good condition from the images I saw on the news yesterday morning, I haven’t seen them in person though. However I did say that the type of horse (breed) that they are ie gypsy cobs/piebalds etc thrives in difficult conditions.
    They said they found remains/bones alright but who’s to say when they were from? I didn’t see any fotos of recently dead animals… There are horses (cows, sheep etc) buried in every field in this country… Bones often get dug up by foxes & dogs….
    It’s to add to the sensational ‘animal welfare’ issue they are basing their actions on… Smoke screen so people will focus on that rather than the real issue which is discrimination & basically stealing healthy animals from their owners in an effort to cull the population & make money from yet more taxes (licences etc)

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    Mute Veronica
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    Nov 20th 2013, 1:02 PM

    Actually Anna, from working in H.H i & a lot of my other collegues have seen dead horses in the field Behind the Apple car park in H.H so maybe not all were starved but quite a share of them were in the one field skin & bone… Yesterday the travelling community decided to vent their anger at apple employees instead of simon coveny.. They thought it was fun to throw stones at peoples acts & at the building itself… Its not the first time such issues have happened… The horses have been left to roam free around Hollyhill & they have damaged a number of cars in the car park…. Personally i think its not before time as one day soon there will be a serious accident there as the horses get nervous when the cars pass them causing them to go crazy so before long either an employee will be injured or even both…

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    Mute Joan O'Brien
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    Nov 20th 2013, 2:39 PM

    @ Anna, I take your point about the fact that the horses are hairy cobs and don’t look in too bad condition but appearances can be deceiving, I like yourself am a horsey person and I can tell you that I have seen very skinny (under a very heavy coat of hair) miserably cold and soaked through to the skin horses. A horses coat is waterproof to a degree but we frequently get horizontal rain and bitingly cold wind in Ireland and their coat will not be waterproof in that type of weather. Only nutritious hay will create heat as it breaks down in the gut and I pass horses all winter in the same field and it’s only when I complain that the owners go and annoy some farmer for a bale of hay. It’s simply cruel and neglectful.
    My point about it being elitist to own a horse I think is valid, I think it should remain elitist for the sake of horses out there, I think we owe them that.

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    Mute Emma Ryan
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    Nov 21st 2013, 12:10 PM

    I have seen pictures of these animals – they DO NOT look healthy. As the owner of a traditional cob I can say that to be in the condition that these horses are in they would literally have to be starved. It’s almost impossible to keep weight OFF these types. On the pictures I have seen the animals backbones and ribs are painfully evident. To say that people have a cultural right to keep horses when they are unable or unwilling to look after them is a ridiculous arguement. I work hard and sacrifice allot to keep my horse in the way he has the right to be treated. The horses were illegally on this land and for the most part not looked after to an adequate standard – if you break the rules in where your animals are left and how they are kept you should not be surprised /annoyed or angry about them being taken away.

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    Mute Nikki
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    Nov 20th 2013, 12:15 AM

    There are very few people making sense in this comment thread tonight. Joan O’Brien you are spot on.

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    Mute dave mitchell
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    Nov 19th 2013, 4:23 PM

    P.s . Paul, get a haircut you unwashed hippy.

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    Mute Paul Somers
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    Nov 19th 2013, 5:22 PM

    Excuse me you insignificant excuse of a bad smell, I do not throw defamatory comments around about anyone undeserved of them. Nor am I about to start. Say it to my face without hiding before false identities.

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    Mute Jack Green
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    Nov 19th 2013, 7:00 PM
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    Mute Merliza Pader Lahive
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    Nov 19th 2013, 7:40 PM

    ANIMALS

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    Mute Breaking Good
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    Nov 19th 2013, 3:12 PM

    The horses are just as bad as them cork people… Bitter jealous (of Dublin) fools

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    Mute Mary Cull
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    Nov 19th 2013, 6:34 PM

    @ Breaking good youre an experienced eejit.

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    Mute fusha2020
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    Nov 19th 2013, 6:47 PM

    experienced eejit! brilliant

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    Mute phil o c
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    Nov 20th 2013, 8:26 AM

    Muppet

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    Mute dave mitchell
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    Nov 19th 2013, 3:11 PM

    There stinking yokes, we have cars and bikes. Its 2013 at present, why are these big smelly useless animals still being used????

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    Mute Ricky Spanish
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    Nov 19th 2013, 3:15 PM

    Your blaming a horse for being a horse?

    Your either a troll or a moron.

    Tell us which?

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    Mute Emilio
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    Nov 19th 2013, 3:16 PM

    Ricky, one can be both, and dave is.

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    Mute Jackie Jones
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    Nov 19th 2013, 3:53 PM

    Both!!!!

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    Mute Jutta Beinker
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    Nov 19th 2013, 4:10 PM

    they are being used to teach stinking yokes like you a lesson on beauty and innocence.

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    Mute Paul Somers
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    Nov 19th 2013, 4:11 PM

    Actually I think it is Noel the John Gilligan cell buddy. The level of crap from him is consistent.

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    Mute Christina Cleechy
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    Nov 19th 2013, 6:12 PM

    *They’re, i.e. they are.

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    Mute Ken Healy
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    Nov 19th 2013, 9:52 PM

    Where are all the cat lovers? A horse is a highly intelligent animal . People’s attitudes are funny.

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    Mute grainne mcd
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    Nov 19th 2013, 10:52 PM

    As long as they weren’t loaded into a tesco delivery van, the horses are in better hands!!

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    Mute Breaking Good
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    Nov 19th 2013, 5:36 PM

    Ricky Spanish & Paul Sommers myself & Dave Mitchell challenge you 2 to a straightener…. Come on lads no more talk, Finglas boys we are here

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    Mute Paul Somers
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    Nov 19th 2013, 6:08 PM

    Hypocrites are one thing, but hypocrites that deliberately hide the truth in order to sway people are quite another!

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    Mute dave mitchell
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    Nov 19th 2013, 5:46 PM

    To rob your women and drink your beer. Ricky Spanish won’t do it tho. I can smell your fear through my €700 smart phone. P.s Paul, get a haircut hippy.

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    Mute whitey bulger
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    Nov 19th 2013, 7:29 PM

    There’s not enough hippies to save our lives

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    Mute dave mitchell
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    Nov 19th 2013, 4:22 PM

    Just kill the lot and make some glue. Glue actually serves a purpose to us humans.

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    Mute Beibhinn
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    Nov 19th 2013, 6:58 PM

    Please do not put yourself in the same category as us humans. You’re a troll, totally different.

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    Mute dave mitchell
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    Nov 19th 2013, 5:28 PM

    Me name is Gary Dunne. I am from finglas, come do something Paul you keyboard washer.

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    Mute Ricky Spanish
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    Nov 19th 2013, 5:31 PM

    Your not funny.

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    Mute fusha2020
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    Nov 19th 2013, 7:21 PM

    don’t use that word please,i don’t really think the LBGT community wants him associated with us/them.

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    Mute Noelle Kiely Jones
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    Nov 20th 2013, 9:16 PM

    The 50 horses need to be saved there are talking about putting them down so wrong
    And the public no giving a chance to try and save them

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    Mute Gemma Sexton
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    Nov 28th 2013, 6:38 PM

    there is also two horses down on the old john barleycorn land in glanmire that look like they are neglected and could do wit warm bed and food

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    Mute Pebble Dash Ha
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    Nov 19th 2013, 7:14 PM

    Nice picture.

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    Mute William Mcgee
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    Nov 20th 2013, 12:16 AM

    Guaranteed 100% irish burgers .

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