READERS may recall the story last January about An Garda Siochána’s Mounted Unit interest in new four-legged recruits. Garda Nives Caplice appeared in an Irish Horse Board video about the breed’s suitability for the role and, according to Sergeant Batt Moriarty, the response was outstanding.

Both Gardaí were on duty at the IDHBA National Show in Punchestown last Saturday when Caplice and Garda colleague Richie Cullen’s four-legged ‘patrol cars’ Rian and Aillen received a steady stream of admirers.

“It [sourcing new Draughts] worked really well and we had great interest from owners with suitable horses,” said Sgt. Moriarty, who succeeded Sgt. Brendan Duffy in the role of responsibility for the Mounted Unit, based in Phoenix Park.

Richie and Aillen (Cappa Cochise - Direen Lady, by Welcome Diamond) were two of the stars of the ‘Jerusalema’ viral video hit during lockdown in 2021, when An Garda Siochána took up the challenge thrown down by their Swiss police colleagues of creating their own dance video.

Aillen was bred in Oranmore by the late Christy Grealish, while Rian (Crosstown Pride - Corraslira Mist, by Merry Mate) was bred by Harry Millar.