Laois County Council has impounded three stray horses found on roadsides in Portlaoise on January 16, 2026. The horses—a bay male from Mountrath Road, a black male, and a bay female both from Green Mill Lane—are now held and available for reclaim by their owners, rehoming, or possible disposal starting from January 22. Under council bye-laws, unclaimed horses after five working days may be rehomed or disposed of, with control managed by the council’s housing section.

Horses can be impounded for reasons including being stray, causing nuisance, lacking proper control, or not having required identification or licenses. Owners wishing to reclaim their horses must provide a valid animal passport, equine registration number for the land where the horse will be kept, and pay all associated fees. The law mandates all horses, ponies, and donkeys in Ireland to have passports to ensure proper identification and welfare.