Three arrested at Smithfield horse fair

Three men have been arrested at the controversial Smithfield horse fair in Dublin.

One man was detained over the theft of a horse which was later returned to its owner.

A second man was held under the Control of Horses Act after he allegedly galloped a horse through the packed market square and a third was arrested for a public order offence.

All three, aged in their 20s, were charged and later released from garda custody.

There have been increasing calls for the monthly market to be shut down after two men were shot and a third was slashed across the arm at last month’s fair.

Enterprise Minister Richard Bruton and Dublin Lord Mayor Gerry Breen have both called for the renowned city centre fair to be shut down.

Animal welfare groups have also demanded the ancient market be brought to an end.

The Attorney General has been asked to advise on new laws to legally stop horse trading on the inner city square.

Dublin City Council has appealed for people to stay away from the gatherings but also warned it is powerless to close them without stringent new laws on casual trading.