A disturbing incident on the N7 motorway near Naas involving an illegal sulky race has sparked urgent calls for stricter enforcement of road safety laws and enhanced animal welfare protections. Footage revealed a convoy of cars running horses in sulkies on a motorway, endangering motorists and the animals. The Broadford-based charity My Lovely Horse condemned the reckless behavior, highlighting the ongoing risks to both public safety and animal welfare, and called for the establishment of a dedicated Garda Animal Crime Unit to address such issues.

The incident has also drawn political attention, with Senator Fiona O’Loughlin emphasizing the cruelty involved and the need for regulation and enforcement around sulky racing. She stressed that responsibility lies with those who allow minors to manage horses in dangerous conditions and urged for a comprehensive debate on animal welfare that includes sulky racing. The event underscores serious legal concerns, as horses and horse-drawn vehicles are prohibited on motorways under Irish law, and highlights the urgent need for stronger measures to prevent such dangerous and cruel practices.