A 24-year-old horse that went missing from his home in Co Tipperary over a month ago has been safely returned to his owner after been located in a housing estate in Portlaw.

Named Paul, the distinctive roan and white gelding had been in the same home in Fethard for 22 years and his sudden disappearance from his field sparked a local search and a nationwide hunt through the media.

The Action for Animal Welfare Ireland group, highly active in Co Tipperary, got involved and highlighted the incident through local papers, The Irish Field and social media.

Anne Williamson of Action for Animal Welfare said: “Paul was found safe and well in Tower Woods, Portlaw. After extensive enquiries, information came of his whereabouts. A gentleman from Portlaw said he was dumped in a massive housing estate and came to join his horses. He had tried to find the owners but then his nephew saw the appeal for Paul on Facebook. As soon as we got the call, we and his owner Jim Purcell, went straight away to get Paul.

“There were tears of joy let me tell you. Thank you to everyone for all the information and for sharing the appeal. It’s sad to think someone took him in the first place and dumped him. I hope whoever is responsible is caught and now allowed put anyone else through this horrible experience.

Paul is now home and right now, that’s all that matters,” said Williamson who represents Cappananagarrane Horse Rescue and Action for Animal Welfare Ireland.