Madam, - Eileen Battersby, whose objections to the Ballinasloe Horse Fair were broadcast on RTE Radio 1 as well as being carried in yesterday's Irish Times, should receive a medal.
It is some time since I used to have to drive through Ballinasloe during this dreadful week and now I avoid it like the plague. From a moving vehicle one could see sufficient abuses of horses to want this affair banned. It does not form part of civilised horse management and it does our country no good when visitors witness the appalling lack of basic care with which the fair is conducted.
The Garda Siochána should arrest those responsible for the physical abuse suffered by Ms Battersby. Under the Protection of Animals Act they can also arrest owners and abusers of any animal that is suffering abuse under the terms of the Act. I sincerely hope justice will at last be done and that the organisers will also take responsibility for animal welfare and abstain from any such manifestations in the future. - Yours, etc,
OLIVE McKINLEY, Bumblewood, Ballymote, Co Sligo.