A LIMERICK woman has been convicted of four counts of neglect and cruelty under the Animal Health and Welfare Act (AHWA) 2013, in relation to a chesnut gelding named Mac.

Fiona Hickey, with an address at Carrigoreilly, Caherconlish, Co Limerick, failed to appear at Clonmel District Court on Wednesday, January 15th before Judge Brian O’Shea to face the charges.

Judge O’Shea elected to hear the evidence in absentia and ISPCA Senior Inspector Alice Lacey told the court the horse was dropped to a yard in Co Waterford by Ms Hickey in January 2024, in order to be broken. Due to concerns regarding the animal’s condition, the Department of Agriculture and the ISPCA were alerted.

Inspector Lacey described viewing the horse, which she said was in extremely poor body condition. She could see that his spine, ribs and pin bones were easily visible, he had extensive rain scald on his back and his hooves were overgrown. She seized the horse pending further enquiries.

A veterinary examination confirmed Inspector Lacey’s concerns, with a vet giving the opinion that Mac’s physical condition was “extremely poor with obvious bony prominence of the ribs and pelvis”. The vet further said that he had “endured a level of starvation”, had “suffered unnecessarily” and had been “subjected to cruelty”.

Senior Inspector Lacey told the court that she made contact with the defendant by telephone and described subsequent interactions with Ms Hickey as “very difficult”. She said that the accused made admissions regarding ownership of the horse in question, described the animal as “dangerous” and said that, by seizing Mac, Inspector Lacey was “doing an injustice to the horse”.

Denial

An email from the defendant was read in court, in which she denied owning the horse. But Judge O’Shea convicted Ms Hickey on four counts in her absence, fined her a total of €4,000, and ordered that she pay ISPCA costs of €4,385.60.

One count was under section 11 of the act, which pertains to the animal being kept and treated in a manner that safeguards the health and welfare of the animal. There were two charges under Section 12, which pertains to unnecessary suffering and one charge under Section 13, which pertains to providing nourishing food for the animal. The judge also ordered forfeiture of the seized horse to the ISPCA.

“Mac was subjected to a level of neglect, which no animal should ever have to face,” ISPCA Senior Inspector Alice Lacey commented. “This case demonstrates the consequences of failing to provide adequate care and treatment for the animals in our care and the importance of holding those responsible accountable.”

The ISPCA urges the public to report any suspicions of animal cruelty, neglect or abuse to its confidential National Animal Cruelty Helpline by calling 0818 515 515, reporting online via ispca.ie/report-cruelty or by emailing helpline@ispca.ie.