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THERE IS CONCERN about teenagers and children taking the reins of tourist horse carriages in Dublin as professional drivers urge the government to reintroduce regulation of the industry in the capital.
In 2018, Dublin City Council stopped issuing carriage driver licences that allow them to operate commercially.
Despite the fact that the council had been issuing these licences from 2011, it has now argued that this is actually the responsibility of An Garda Síochána under legislation from the mid-1800s, and that it has no legal basis to make by-laws.
Professional carriage drivers in Dublin city have said this has left their industry in ‘legal limbo’ and has opened up the market to previously unlicenced operators.
‘They’re not bad kids’
TheJournal.ie has been made aware of a number of examples of children and teenagers driving these tourist carriages in the city. This publication also recently observed several young boys – some under the age of 16 – waiting in carriages to pick up fares outside the Guinness Storehouse at St James’ Gate.
Carriage driver David Mulreany, who had a licence up until the council changed its position, said he is concerned for the welfare of the young people in the city who are driving the carriages, as well as the welfare of their horses.
“In the area of Dublin 8 alone, when you see these children they have nothing in that area for them, nothing whatsoever to keep them on track and help these children.
This is not about making these kids out to be bad kids because 99% of them aren’t, they’re actually really lovely kids. They just need a little help and to be told they can’t do this, otherwise they’ll just keep doing it. They’re children at the end of the day.
Mulreany said “something else has to be put in place” for these young people, and it should be something that keeps them involved with horses if this activity is to be taken away from them.
He said he and the other carriage drivers who make their living from the business are “still in the dark” about whether licencing will be reintroduced and who may be in charge if it is.
Legal position
They have written to Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Shane Ross about the issue. In June, Ross told Independent TD Maureen O’Sullivan that his department was engaging with Dublin City Council and An Garda Síochána to resolve the matter “as quickly as possible”.
He said advice had also been sought from the Attorney General about where these powers currently reside. He said he would address the matter “speedily” once the legal position is clearer.
There are pieces of legislation that can be enforced in this area, including road safety legislation, the Control of Horses Act – which requires owners to have a horse licence and to be over the age of 16 – and animal welfare legislation.
However professional operators and animal welfare charities claim the legislative powers that are not currently in “legal limbo” are not enforced enough.
‘Regular checks’
When asked about the issue in relation to youths driving the tourist carriages, Dublin City Council said it would be “a matter for An Garda Síochána” to identify anyone underage in charge of a horse and carriages.
“The council would then be in a position to arrange seizure of horses.”
The Dublin South Central joint policing committee set up a sub-group in December last year to look at a number of issues involving horse welfare and licencing, including the handling of horses by underage individuals.
TheJournal.ie also asked An Garda Síochána about the carriages outside the Guinness Storehouse. In response, the organisation referenced the Pearse Street district, which does not cover the St James’ Gate area.
It said community gardaí attached to Pearse Street “regularly carry out checks” for horse passports and the welfare of the horses in their district.
An Garda Síochána said no persons under 16 years have been found driving or in charge of horse drawn carriages within this district, which does not include the Guinness Storehouse.
The Guinness Storehouse said it is aware of concerns surrounding the overall regulation of this industry and while it is not involved in licensing, it is engaging with the relevant authorities on “best steps to improve the situation”.
TheJournal.ie also asked the child and family agency Tusla about whether this was a potential child welfare issue.
“Parents should ensure appropriate supervision of their children at all times,” the agency said. “Where someone has a concern about an individual child they should report it to their local duty social work office.
“All child protection and welfare referrals are screened and assessed in line with Children First [guidelines], as appropriate.”
Welfare of animals
The My Lovely Horse Rescue (MLHR) charity has repeatedly called for a more robust licensing system to regulate the operation of carriages in the city. It is now even more concerned about horse welfare as the legal position of carriage licensing is unclear.
However it said this presents an opportunity to introduce stronger by-laws to protect the horses and the passengers in the carriages.
The charity said any licensing system should include a thorough assessment of the horse by a vet for suitability to draw a carriage, a check that the harness is suitable and a carriage driving test. None of these measures were provided for in the council’s previous by-laws.
It also suggested spot checks by authorities and a requirement for carriages to bear a visible licence plate number and a contact for tourists if they have a complaint.
“Some carriages queue from 7am at the Guinness Storehouse, which opens at 9.30am, to ensure they are at the top of the queue for the first fare, usually around 10.30 or 11am,” MLHR said.
Regulating the number of drivers allowed to operate at busy tourist areas could help eliminate the need for this practice and ensure enough business for licensed drivers and that horses are not left standing for long hours, unable to move.
“MLHR strongly urge the council to provide proper facilities at designated hiring stands, for example drinking water, a hose for washing the horse and street down and shelter for the horses from the elements.”
After Dublin City Council stopped issuing carriage licences, the charity published a guide for anyone who takes a carriage ride in the city.
It advised people to ensure the horse looks healthy and fit, and strong enough to pull the carriage.
People should ensure the carriage is in good condition, with no cable ties on the wheels for example. MLHR also advises people to ensure the driver is 16 years of age or older as it is illegal for a child under 16 to be in control of a horse in Dublin city.
A driver without a horse licence (as opposed to a carriage licence, which is an additional step) may not be insured in an accident.
MLHR has drafted 30 recommendations for improved by-laws which it said it will submit to the council once the legal position has been clarified.
The charity works closely with David Mulreany and the other carriage drivers who previously held licences to lobby for increased regulation and monitoring of horse welfare in the city.
“Our own horses are kept brilliant, they’re well looked after. Myself and my brother, have been doing this all of our lives and it’s all we know how to do,” Mulreany said.
“I’d just love somebody to let us know that there’s a way of holding onto this business, our business, safely. And that we don’t have to go queue up behind another 35 carriages and not know who’s standing in front of us.”
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Absolute lies. In 21st century Ireland they’re claiming the only reason children and teenagers are allowed to continue doing this is because it’s based upon 19th century legislation. Lies.
I’ve seen teenagers in the Summer evenings with a horse and carriage charge young children for a short trip around local estates. Not once did any of their parents ask if they were covered with insurance. On one particularly warm evening the horse collapsed from exhaustion and was left there, someone else’s problem.
And this is the real reason nobody will tackle these kids. Because to do will mean having to face the problem of travellers and horses, and that’s something our government would rather run from than face.
@Arch Angel: To be clear, I’m not saying that those doing this in Dublin city centre are travellers, however the government can’t address them without also addressing the issue of travellers and horses, which they won’t. In fact even mentioning travellers is likely to have posts deleted and this topic closed, it’s such a contentious issue.
@Arch Angel: The Government can – the Government needs to repeal legislation (the Dublin Carriages Acts – 1853, 1854, 1855) so that DCC can go back to making bye-laws for carriage licensing in DCC. It’s not a big deal, just needs to be done.
And in the meantime, Gardaí need to start warning kids that the horses will be seized if under 16s driving them – that will put an end to underage driving and Gardaí have powers to do this under Section 37 of the Control of Horses Act and DCC Control of Horses Bye laws 2014 – they just haven’t be enforcing those laws. Time for Kevin Street Garda Station to get the finger out.
Cultural boss?
@Graham Wilson: The drivers (adults and kids) are not travellers.
@Graham Wilson:
@kodomonster: some of them are.
@kodomonster: Really? None of them? Gosh!
So if they hit my car who do I claim from? And If I hit them…oh don’t bother..I know that answer..!
@GerryCummins: Exactly! Let’s hope the Attorney General can figure that out… his office has had months to do so… or maybe the delay is with Shane Ross/DCC/Gardaí.
@GerryCummins: ‘The motor insurance beurau of ireland.’
“…something else needs to be put in place for these young people……involving horses….”
No it doesn’t!!
Who is going to pay for it?
I’m sick of this mollycoddling of these people.
Let them join a sports club like everyone else.
@Chin Feeyin: jackass
I remember listening to a woman on the radio from Limerick, who took care of mistreated and abandoned animals. She said in all the horses she had rescued none of them were microchipped. It’s EU law that all horses have to be chipped. If the law was upheld then there may be some chance that the horses would be better looked after.
@John: like many laws in this country it is the implementation of the law that is the issue not the law.
@ktsiwot: The law is ever only used when the s#it has hit the fan first and then its used to cover the backsides of who should have been doing their job in the first place.
Why is it children from Cities have no idea how to treat animals with love and care for them. In the country us culchies know how to respect and love animals. So glad and proud to be a culchie. Waiting for the backlash now from the city slickers, the know it all’s….
@Maria Dardis: not true, the red necks have there own fair share of idiots
@Maria Dardis: really stupid comment when most puppy farms are based in rural Ireland. Do you align yourself with these particular culchies? “A CARLOW COUPLE have been convicted of 60 offences under the Animal Health and Welfare Act, including causing or permitting animal cruelty… “Words fail me to describe what those pictures depict. It is extraordinary to find someone of farming stock guilty of such an appalling crime best illustrated by the video footage we sat through this morning and photographs presented to the court,” Judge James McCourt said.”
https://www.thejournal.ie/carlow-farmer-animal-cruelty-4508103-Feb2019/
@EillieEs: she’s a culchie cut her some slack, intelligence doesn’t come naturally
Unless I’m blind drunk…why was my comment deleted? Does it not fit the narrative?
@Michael: You must be blind drunk so! Lol
So at the biggest tourist attraction in Dublin we have children providing an uninsured and unregulated unpoliced transport service. Obvious serious issues about children, tourist and animal welfare.
I don’t expect the Ross buffoon to do anything but definitely do expect the Taoiseach and DCC to tackle the issue urgently.
Of course Ross is also the Transport Minister. Maybe he could talk to himself.
This is like Fawlty Towers meets Father Ted. What a joke of a country.
@Michael: and perhaps you could learn grammar and punctuation?
@Vocal Outrage: my God the grammar police? Take me in please…there is a lot worse happening out there than my grammar;)
I am a culchie and amateur carriage driver and horse-rider.There are no laws regulating the age at which a person can ride a horse or drive a carriage.While insurance is advisable,there are no legal requirements.The guards can do very little, if anything, about the age of drivers.In practice,many kids are top drivers and good with horses.Anyone that does’nt like the status quo should lobby their C Councillor or TD. The health of the horses is a separate issue.
@Aidan Mccullough: in Dublin City – the min age for being in control of a horse is 16 – it’s in the Dublin City Control of Horses 2014 bye-laws. Horses can be seized.
@Aidan Mccullough: and yes, you could have highly skilled drivers under 16, the main issue is no one checking anyone’s credentials/skills to be fit to drive horses with passengers on Dublin busy streets and no proactive checks on the tack/harness etc. It’s a bit of a mess and not good for the reputation of the decent professional drivers who take excellent care of their horses.
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