AT Naas District Court on Monday, March 3rd, Chloe Walker Reid (25) with an address at Cnoc Na Greine, Kilcullen, Co Kildare and James Boland (26) of Oldgrange, Monasterevin, Co Kildare, pleaded guilty to three offences each under sections 11 and 12 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.

The court heard evidence from ISPCA inspector James McCormack, who described responding to a report regarding a horse in a field off Hand Lane, Maddenstown, Co Kildare in January 2023. He told how he found a chesnut gelding that was visibly underweight with its ribs, hips and spinal bones protruding. The horse was very unsteady on its feet and standing with its legs splayed. Its stomach was making noises, and it defecated a spray of faeces that covered part of its tail and legs.