Sulky racing deemed ‘a hobby’ not cultural in Tipperary council animal welfare discussion

Concerns around animal welfare are heightened across Tipperary in recent weeks with several shocking incidents making headlines and drawing outrage from concerned locals., These concerns came into sharp focus at this month’s meeting of Tipperary County Council, where members spent considerable time debating how best to respond to reports of neglect, gaps in enforcement and the growing visibility of issues such as illegal sulky racing.

The discussion was opened by Cllr Michael Brennan, who formally proposed the establishment of an Animal Welfare Committee as a subcommittee of the Environment and Climate Action Strategic Policy Committee. In outlining his motion, Brennan said the aim was to “improve coordination, oversight and policy development in relation to animal welfare across the county,” while creating a structured forum involving the council, An Garda Síochána, the Department of Agriculture and animal welfare organisations.

He told the meeting that the matter had become increasingly visible and urgent, referencing cockfighting and sulky-related incidents that have occurred in Tipperary in recent weeks. He also remarked that horses are regularly being removed from fields “because of the state” they are in and that the council is being contacted “every day of the week” by members of the public reporting concerns. Cllr Brennan argued that existing approaches were not working and that a coordinated structure was needed to respond more effectively.

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In addition to Brennan’s proposal, councillors also brought forward motions addressing the regulation of sulkies and horse use on public roads. The first motion, again raised by Cllr Brennan, called for the drafting of new byelaws to address the dangers associated with sulky use on public roads. It also proposed prohibiting sulky racing and the use of sulkies on all public roads within Tipperary.

The second motion, raised by Cllrs Liam Browne, Niall Dennehy and Richie Molloy, focused on national measures. It called on the council to write to the Minister for Transport and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, seeking the establishment of a Sulky Road Use Licence (SRUL) for all sulky drivers. The proposal included mandatory equine handling and road safety training, a practical driving assessment, proof of public liability insurance, and a prohibition on persons under 18 years of age driving or controlling a sulky on public roads.

Speaking on the matter of sulky racing, Cllr Browne rejected the idea that the activity could be defended on cultural grounds. He told the chamber that “I don’t think sulky racing is cultural [or that] It’s only a hobby,” adding that those who wish to engage in the activity should do so through organised bodies such as trotting or harness racing associations, and not on public roads.

He called for stronger enforcement measures, stating that “not only should the organisers be banned, but anyone participating in or facilitating these races should also face prosecution. Anyone found racing alone on a public road should be held accountable, and those using vehicles to block roads and enable such races must face consequences as well. Responsibility shouldn’t rest solely with the organisers.

“As was mentioned by another councillor, non-Travellers are now becoming involved in some cases. This clearly shows that it is not a cultural issue, but rather a hobby taken up by individuals who believe they can act without consequences.”

The debate drew contributions from across the chamber, with councillors describing repeated instances of neglected animals, particularly horses, and expressing frustration at what they see as gaps in enforcement. There was broad agreement that the current system, spread across local authorities, the Department of Agriculture and other agencies, can be difficult to navigate and slow to respond.

However, significant reservations were also raised about the practical impact of Cllr Brennan’s proposal. Council officials and several members pointed out that Tipperary County Council has limited statutory powers in relation to animal welfare, which is largely governed at national level.

Concerns were expressed that a new committee could become a “talking shop” without the authority or resources to deliver meaningful change.

A number of councillors instead advocated for the issue to be examined through existing Strategic Policy Committees, allowing for input from key stakeholders and alignment with the forthcoming national animal welfare strategy for 2026–2030. It was argued that influencing national policy may ultimately prove more effective than establishing additional local structures.

Despite differing views on the best way forward, there was clear consensus on the seriousness of the problem. Councillors repeatedly emphasised the need to balance stronger enforcement with fairness, acknowledging that a majority of animal owners act responsibly while insisting that persistent cases of neglect must be addressed.

Following extensive discussion, it was agreed that the matters would be referred to the relevant Strategic Policy Committee for further consideration. While no new committee was established, the debate highlighted a shared view that current approaches are insufficient and that more coordinated action, both locally and nationally, is needed.