Ireland's equine abattoir faces reputational damage due to animal cruelty and falsified horse identities, prompting a full investigation.

Ireland faces "huge reputational damage" due to the mistreatment of horses at its only licensed equine abattoir, according to the Department of Agriculture and Food. The admission follows a Prime Time investigation that revealed scenes of animal cruelty and evidence of falsified horse identities at the Shannonside Foods facility in Co Kildare. The Department confirmed a full investigation is underway, with An Garda Síochána also involved.