Strong Garda presence at horse fair

JUST THREE horses were visible at Dublin’s Smithfield horse fair before 10am yesterday – and two of them were attached to the Garda Mounted Unit.

The monthly horse fair – which for the second month was marked by closed access routes, a large contingent of gardaí, Revenue inspectors and DSPCA officers – was, according to one observer, “more like a Garda fair than a horse fair”.

William Lombard from Ballyhooley, Co Cork, said he had “come for a look”, as he does every month. While he might buy “and might not”, he did not think much of yesterday’s fair. Appleby Horse Fair in England is on this week, he said, offering one reason for the absence of crowds in Dublin.

“The Limerick crowd are here,” he added, noting they might bring a horse home for him, if he was to buy.

But there was little on offer, with a tight cordon around Smithfield through which no horse could pass without proper papers, a microchip and a “horse passport”.

Shortly after 11am, with the number of horses for sale having risen to five, the sound of horses’ hooves could be heard clattering down a side street, Red Cow Lane. Four horses came through, with a fifth pulling a two wheeled-cart, similar to those used in harness racing. The procession was followed by two gardaí on bicycles.

As dealers or owners stood around in small groups, huddled against an unseasonal cold wind, there was no spitting in hands, with few if any bargains apparently made. It was a very different scene from the panic that ensued in March, when two men were shot with an “improvised firearm” and others fought with sticks.

However, members of the Irish Horse Owners’ Association have spoken out against the strong Garda presence since the May fair.

The group said the presence of gardaí and other officials was a device to close down the fair.