Horse smashes through gate after being frightened by fireworks

A horse in the Rochfortbridge area received injuries to its neck and chest when it smashed through a gate last Friday after being frightened by fireworks that had been let off nearby.

In a post on social media, the horse's owner urged people to “please think before setting off fireworks.”

“Our young three year old horse was absolutely terrified last night when someone local to us set off fireworks. She ran head first through a wood and metal gate completely smashing it to pieces and ripping her neck and chest. She is so lucky that it wasn't more serious and that she survived!

“Please think about the consequences to local horses, livestock and other animals before setting off fireworks,” she said.

Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner this week, a garda spokesperson said that officers will be taking a “zero tolerance” approach to the sale and use of fireworks in the run up to Halloween.

“Fireworks cause a lot of disturbance to animals etcetera. We will be taking a zero tolerance policing approach to the sale and use of fireworks and anyone caught with them will be prosecuted.”

Over the Halloween Bank Holiday weekend, the spokesperson said that local gardaí, led by officers from the Community Policing Unit, will be targeting anti-social behaviour and the illegal sale and use of fireworks.

“There is going to be an increased garda presence and we will be very active over the weekend.”

Meanwhile, Mullingar gardaí have launch an investigation after receiving a report that a woman was assaulted in a late night entertainment venue in the town over the weekend.

The incident is believed to have occurred in the ladies toilets of a premises at around 1.30am on Saturday morning.