A disturbing incident on the N7 motorway near Naas involving an illegal sulky race has sparked urgent calls for stronger enforcement of road safety and animal welfare laws. Footage revealed by a local horse charity, My Lovely Horse, shows a convoy of cars racing horses in sulkies on the motorway, endangering both public safety and the animals involved. The charity condemned the reckless behavior, highlighting the ongoing risks to horses and motorists, and has launched a petition advocating for a dedicated Garda Animal Crime Unit to address such issues.

The incident has also drawn attention from lawmakers, with Senator Fiona O’Loughlin emphasizing the cruelty and danger posed by unregulated sulky racing, especially when minors are involved. She called for stricter regulation and enforcement, urging the Minister for Agriculture to take action and for a broader debate on animal welfare that includes sulky racing. The event underscores serious legal breaches, including violations of road traffic laws prohibiting horses on motorways, and has reignited demands for comprehensive measures to protect both animals and the public.