WHAT, if any, horse control measures, are expected to be implemented in Newcastle West town?
This was the question from Independent councillor Jerome Scanlan at the May area meeting of Limerick City and County Council.
Cllr Scanlan was informed by the local authority following his question that there is no bespoke plan in place for horse control in the County Limerick town.
The Council told Cllr Scanlan that its Veterinary Services Department enforces the Control of Horses Act 1996 and the related bye-laws throughout all of Limerick city and county.
“The entire city and county of Limerick is designated a Control Area under this legislation. It is an offence to allow a horse to stray in a public area, or to keep a horse within the curtilage of a dwelling,” Cllr Scanlan was told.
Senior engineer for Limerick City and County Council’s Environment Department, Aidan Finn, explained that the veterinary services respond to reports from the public of straying or abandoned horses wherever they arise within the control area, and deploys the pound service accordingly.
“So far in 2025, we have seized two horses in the Newcastle West Municipal District, albeit not from the town. Horses are held in the pound for five days and, if not reclaimed, re-homed to a horse charity outside Limerick,” Mr Finn told Council members.
Persons concerned about straying horses, in any locality, he continued, should be advised to contact customer services and the matter will be investigated by veterinary services staff.
