Donegal minister, Charlie McConalogue, has described images of horses being mistreated in the RTÉ Investigates programme aired on Wednesday night as distressing and abhorrent.
Speaking after the screening of “Horses: Making a Killing” the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine said: “I have watched the RTÉ Investigates programme, which included some distressing images. I am taking this matter extremely seriously.
“The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has already commenced an investigation into these matters with the support of An Garda Síochána, and I am assured that the full force of the law will be brought to bear in relation to these matters.”
“There is a strong framework of EU and national law intended to protect the welfare of animals. The behaviour of the individuals seen on Prime Time last night was clearly not acceptable, and entirely inconsistent with that legal framework. It needs to be stamped out. I’d like to commend Prime Time Investigates and Conor Ryan. It was a very significant investigation, not just in Ireland but going right across Europe. It shows journalism and public service broadcasting at its best,” Minister McConalogue added.
Minister McConalogue said all issues arising from the programme will be “fully investigated”.
“I am advised that it is very important that I avoid saying anything that might be prejudicial to the conduct of this investigation, but people can be assured these matters will be fully investigated, and that the full rigour of the law will be applied.”
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