THE ongoing issue of loose horses getting onto roadways came into sharp focus today as two gardai recover from injuries received after their patrol car collided with a loose horse on the N18 in Co Limerick on Tuesday night.

Both gardai were hospitalised in the aftermath of the crash which involved a small coloured horse who was loose on the road at the time.

Sadly, the horse died instantly from terrible injuries but the outcome could have been much worse with the gardai involved having a narrow escape with their lives from the crash.

One garda remains in hospital today with a broken arm and head injuries, the other was released with minor injuries.

The Garda Representative Association (GRA) posted a photograph of the badly damaged car on Twitter in a bid to highlight the incident and the unpredictable nature of the daily job performed by Gardai nationwide.

MAJOR ISSUE

Commenting on the issue of loose horses on roads on RTE’s Morning Ireland radio programme today, GRA spokesman John O’Keefe said that gardaí had been called to an unrelated incident when their car was struck by a loose horse on the motorway.

He said that the issue of stray horses was a "major issue'' nationwide, for gardai and the general public.

“In Limerick, gardaí are regularly getting calls about stray and loose horses, sometimes three or four a day,” said O'Keefe saying loose horses on roads present a "clear and present danger to us all."

TIED TO GATE

Separately, Gardai in Co Tipperary are investigating a case where a dead gelding with a broken leg was found tied to a gate in Newport.

The Tipperary-based Action for Animal Welfare Group described it as "yet another tragic case of animal cruelty".

AAW will be holding a demonstration to highlight animal welfare and cruelty on Thursday, October 4th next outside Leinster House.