Officials 'surprised' by Panorama footage showing slaughter of horses in Ireland

Department of Agriculture deputy chief veterinary officer Dr Michael Sheahan said hidden camera footage taken at abattoirs was 'surprising' and something that he was not aware of until the show aired. File picture: Sasko Lazarov/Rollingnews.ie

The slaughter of horses, as seen in a BBC Panorama documentary, does not happen in Ireland, a senior official has told an Oireachtas committee.

Officials from the Department of Agriculture were in front of Tuesday's Oireachtas Agriculture Committee to discuss ongoing issues around horse racing in Ireland.