Horse fair facing one final hurdle

DRAFT bye laws to crack down on the controversial Smithfield horse fair will face their final hurdle at this month’s meeting of Dublin City Council.

The bye laws, which are expected to be rubberstamped by the councillors, will mark the end of an era for the monthly fair which will now only take place twice a year under the proposed changes.

The new regulations, which are aimed at exercising better control on the fair and horse traders, cleared their biggest potential stumbling block shortly before Christmas when representatives from the Smithfield Horse Owners’ Association agreed to the new rules.

The draft bye laws propose two fairs a year, in March and September, and also stipulate that all traders must register with Dublin City Council while providing their PPS numbers and pay a fee of e10 per horse to enter the market.

It’s a major change in culture and tradition at the ancient horse market, which has become synonymous with animal cruelty and violence in recent years.

In return for the co-operation from horse traders, Dublin City Council committed to giving administrative support to the Smithfield Horse Owners’ group, and to set up a marketing group of horse owners, business representatives and residents of Smithfield to promote the fair.

In agreeing to the bye laws, members from the Smithfield Horse Owners’ Association requested that the proposed e10 fee not be increased for five years; that online registering for the fair be made available; and that if the opportunity arose, a one off fair be permitted.

Clontarf ward councillor Gerry Breen (FG), who is chair of the Casual Trading subgroup which compiled the draft bye laws, welcomed the traders’ agreement.

“I would like to praise the horse owners on how they took part in the consultation on the proposed bye laws and the positive and realistic way they negotiated,

? said Cllr Breen.

“I don’t see difficulties meeting their further suggestions.

“We now have a job of work to do to make the March Smithfield fair a fantastic success and I look forward to seizing that opportunity with the council, councillors, Smithfield residents, business owners and the horse owners.

?

The DSPCA has welcomed the new regulations, which they hope will transform the horse fair.

“We hope that the new bye laws will put an end forever to the disgraceful incidents we have seen at Smithfield Market,

? said CEO Brian Gillen.

“We look forward to working within the new framework and see this as a positive step in the welfare of horses in Dublin City.

?

Members of the public also had the opportunity to have their say on the draft bye laws during a two-month consultation period which began in September.

Over the last 18 months, the fair, which has traditionally taken place on the first Sunday of every month, has been subject to an ongoing, dedicated crackdown by gardai, customs officers and social welfare officials.

As a result, numbers at the once chaotic, violent and dangerous horse fair have dwindled to less than 15 people attending each month.