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Smithfield plaza Google Maps

DSPCA say it was "miracle" no one was killed at Smithfield horse fair

The organisation have called for the fair to be shut down after shots were fired and two people were injured on Sunday morning.

THE DUBLIN SOCIETY for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA) has called for the Smithfield horse fair to be shut down after shots were fired and two people were injured this morning.

There are reports that at least six or seven shots were fired at Smithfield plaza at around 11.30am this morning.

Gardaí say that two men were injured and were hospitalised although their injuries are not said to be life threatening.

A spokesperson for the DSPCA told TheJournal.ie that it was a “miracle” that no one was killed following scenes of mayhem as frightened horses and terrified people created a stampede throughout the plaza.

One man has also been taken to hospital after he was attacked with a slash hook in another incident.

Gardaí say that no arrests have been made so far.

The horse fair takes place in Smithfield plaza in Dublin on the first Sunday of ever month and thousands of people were said to be in attendance with up to 400 horses on display at today’s event.

Smithfield plaza is currently undergoing construction with only half of the normal area being available, meaning up to 400 horses were crammed into limited space, making conditions hazardous, according to the DSPCA.

They have called for emergency government legislation to shut the fair down immediately.

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20 Comments
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    Mute Fergal O' Reilly
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    Dec 10th 2020, 1:14 AM

    That a 500 year leasehold was signed with a private developer in 1997, says a lot about the sad state of public planning in the city.

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    Mute Niamh Hand
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    Dec 10th 2020, 12:21 AM

    That’s a good news story to go to bed with. Good on Lord iveagh

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    Mute steve white
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    Dec 10th 2020, 12:38 AM

    @Niamh Hand: where was he the last 20 years?

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    Mute Fergal O' Reilly
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    Dec 10th 2020, 1:11 AM

    @steve white: 20 years ago a still recent lease agreement was in effect, so he was as powerless to intervene as the rest of us.

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    Mute FlopFlipU
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    Dec 10th 2020, 5:09 AM

    @steve white: dope

    61
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    Mute Chris O'Sullivan
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    Dec 10th 2020, 9:47 AM

    @steve white: drinking pints I’d assume

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    Mute the-baldie-lad
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    Dec 10th 2020, 12:25 AM

    Hands up if you agree that Alan Kelly is an eejit

    190
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    Mute Mary Nugent
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    Dec 10th 2020, 1:25 AM

    @the-baldie-lad: utd fan out in the open was it Leo on the luas

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    Mute Shane McGrath
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    Dec 10th 2020, 12:22 AM

    Excellent news.

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    Mute DJ François
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    Dec 10th 2020, 10:36 AM

    Be nice to have something along the lines of the English market in Cork

    38
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    Mute muirhill121
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    Dec 10th 2020, 7:49 AM

    Hopefully, he won’t grant another lease to DCC so they can balls it up again!

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    Mute Shay Flynn
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    Dec 10th 2020, 11:00 AM

    My dad had a butchers shop there for years.

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    Mute Colm Molloy
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    Dec 10th 2020, 11:38 AM

    A market like the ones in Barcelona would be the job there..

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    Mute D Cullen
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    Dec 10th 2020, 8:36 AM

    Should be sequestered by the state along with all lands and properties that were divided amongst the lords of the English elite!

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    Mute Nick Caffrey
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    Dec 10th 2020, 9:15 AM

    @D Cullen: That’d be great if the state were capable of managing the lands and properties. Read the article and you will understand that the State is not up to the job.

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    Mute El Sparko
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    Dec 10th 2020, 9:20 AM

    @D Cullen: so the state can then sell it on the ruthless developers and give themselves pay raises??
    No thank, at least Lord Iveagh will do something that benefits the people of Dublin, like he has done many times in the past.

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    Mute Paul
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    Dec 10th 2020, 9:46 AM

    @D Cullen: except the Guinness’s are Anglo-Irish not English, just like many of Ireland’s rebel leaders of the past, Pearse / Wolfe Tone etc. The first Lord Iveagh was born is Dublin and is known for providing housing for the poor etc.

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    Mute The world outside the M50
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    Dec 10th 2020, 11:06 AM

    His Christian/First name is very odd, don’t you think – ‘Lord’ ??

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