Operations at horse slaughterhouse in County Kildare ‘completely suspended’

The Department of Agriculture has confirmed that it has “completely suspended” operations at the Shannonside Foods plant in County Kildare.

Serious animal welfare abuses and cruelty have been uncovered in connection with the treatment of horses sent to slaughter at Ireland’s only licensed horse slaughterhouse.

The Department of Agriculture said in a statement that all carcasses prepared for slaughter at the Straffan facility last week had been retained following the issuance of a legal notice.

It has also been confirmed that no animals from the Shannonside Foods plant have entered the food chain in the last three weeks.

An investigation is underway into activities relating to the supply of horses for slaughter, following a revelation by RTÉ Investigates.

At a site linked to the horse slaughterhouse, illegal activities were uncovered aimed at concealing the identity of horses and compromising the integrity of the human food chain.

The department said it had received “assistance and support” from An Garda Síochána in the investigation, which “remains active and ongoing”.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries told RTÉ Investigates, broadcast this week, that his department was “actively investigating the absolutely abhorrent animal abuse and alleged criminal offences that we have witnessed”.

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Charlie McConalogue said the investigation was being conducted “with the full cooperation of An Garda Síochána”.

“This is an active investigation and while it is vital that I ensure the process proceeds without prejudice, I state categorically that the full force of the law will be applied where warranted and no stone will be left unturned,” the minister said.

Mr McConalogue said he could not comment in detail on the investigation but confirmed that a number of measures had now been taken.

“No animals from this slaughterhouse have entered the food chain for the past three weeks, all carcasses presented for slaughter last week are being held and the plant’s operations have now ceased completely,” he said.