Gardaí investigate viral horse cruelty video after searching farmland in Co Tipperary

No offences were identified during animal welfare checks after disturbing footage emerged of horse being whipped in Clonmel

A screenshot of the widely circulated video, in which a horse is whipped aggressively 

Gardaí have searched “several acres of farmland” after two teens were spotted aggressively whipping a horse in County Tipperary last weekend.

In a widely circulated video apparently filmed from a car travelling behind and filmed in Clonmel, the horse can be seen in clear distress as one of the teens aggressively whips it with a stick while running alongside a carriage driven by another boy. The boy in the carriage is also whipping the horse.

Another pony and carriage can be seen ahead with another teen whipping that animal. As the clip ends, the boy running alongside the horse appears to take an especially hard swipe at it which sees it recoil away from him.

In a statement to the Irish Examiner, Gardaí confirmed they are aware of the video and that enquiries are ongoing.

"Gardaí are aware of a video in circulation online and through direct messaging apps that depicts an incident of animal cruelty involving a horse, and which is alleged that it occurred at a location in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary on Sunday, May 11, 2025," a Garda spokesperson said.

"Efforts have been made to verify the accuracy of the time and date cited in the video, however, our enquiries remain ongoing," they added.

Gardaí and inspectors from the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) visited the location shown in the video on the afternoon of Tuesday, May 13, to search several "acres of farmland.”

"The welfare of all the animals present was checked and inspected. No alleged offences under the Animal and Welfare Act were identified during this search and there were no concerns for the welfare of the animals present," the spokesperson added.