A man sentenced to two years in prison for neglecting 90 horses and evading taxes on €700,000 in tobacco.

Geoffrey Lyons, 54, of County Meath, was sentenced to two years in prison for animal cruelty after 90 horses were found in severe neglect across multiple properties in March 2023. The animals, many emaciated and suffering untreated injuries, were living in filthy, unsanitary conditions with no proper shelter, food, or water. One mare died during childbirth and was euthanized, while others were rehomed or sold. Authorities also seized over 930kg of untaxed tobacco valued at €700,000, leading to an additional conviction for tax evasion. Lyons, who claimed he took in horses during the pandemic and faced personal health struggles, was ordered to pay €44,000 to a rescue group and banned from owning horses for ten years.