'Facilities for horses for Traveller families is essential' - Kilkenny senator claims

Kilkenny senator and former Green Party minister and TD for Carlow-Kilkenny, Malcolm Noonan has told an Oireachtas Committee on Traveller-Specific Accommodation it is 'essential' a system is found where members of the Travelling Community can access accommodation that is appropriate to families and horses.

Earlier this month, Kilkenny County Council confirmed that they intend to go to public consultation to amend the current horse by-laws, following the emergence of unsettling videos of horses struggling to stay afloat in the River Nore last summer.

Over the past decade, a number of alterations have been made to the by-laws. In 2015, sulky racing was banned on public roads and subsequently in 2021, horse-exclusion zones were introduced in parts of Kilkenny City.

It is now proposed the existing Bye-Laws be extended to Dean Street, St Francis Bridge and the Old Mart Road to close off access points to the river. - READ MORE HERE

"Horses are an intrinsic part of Traveller culture and the accommodation of facilities for horses for Traveller families is essential, particularly in group housing schemes, be that achieved through some directive issued to local authorities or a much more supportive role in how such projects can be rolled out," Noonan remarked.

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"We have seen here in Dublin but also in Offaly where Traveller horse projects have been hugely beneficial to the welfare and well-being of young Traveller men and boys, and also to the welfare of animals. It is important that this accommodation be made for Traveller families," he added.

"A solution can be found. The horse projects have a hugely beneficial effect on the welfare of the animals and on the well-being of young Traveller boys in particular. It requires a more focused attention nationally in terms of supporting Traveller families."

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