Ireland Garda and Europol operation targets horse trafficking network across Europe
On Tuesday and Wednesday of the week the article was published on 11 September 2026, gardaí, supported by Europol, took part in an international operation against a network suspected of trafficking horses across Europe using forged passports and manipulated microchips. Searches were carried out in Kilkenny, Galway, Tipperary, Kildare, Dublin and Donegal by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, as part of 25 searches across Europe, eight of them in Ireland. The investigation is led by Belgian authorities and concerns horses whose identification details and histories were fraudulently altered. No arrests or charges have been reported, and as of the latest report the evidence seized is under analysis and investigations are ongoing.
- Reported
- Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Gardaí, supported by Europol, took part in an international operation against a network suspected of trafficking horses across Europe.
- Where
- Kilkenny was one of six counties where searches were carried out.
- When
- The operation took place on Tuesday and Wednesday of the week the article was published on 11 September 2026.
- Investigation
- Searches were carried out in Kilkenny, Galway, Tipperary, Kildare, Dublin and Donegal by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
- 25 searches were conducted across Europe, including eight in Ireland.
- The investigation is led by Belgian authorities and concerns horses whose identification details and histories were fraudulently altered.
- Evidence seized is under analysis and investigations are ongoing.
- Cause
- The network is suspected of forging horse passports and manipulating microchips to give animals new identities.
- Charges
- No arrests or charges have been reported.
- Other details
- The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine assisted with the searches, along with Belgian Police officers and Europol.
9 statements extracted from the articles
- whatGardaí supported by Europol took part in an international operation against a network suspected of trafficking horses across Europe. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whereKilkenny was one of six counties where searches were carried out. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whenThe operation took place on Tuesday and Wednesday of the week the article was published. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- investigationSearches were carried out in Kilkenny, Galway, Tipperary, Kildare, Dublin and Donegal by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- investigation25 searches were conducted across Europe, including eight in Ireland. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- investigationThe investigation is led by Belgian authorities and concerns horses whose identification details and histories were fraudulently altered. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- investigationThe network is suspected of forging horse passports and manipulating microchips to give animals new identities. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- investigationEvidence seized is under analysis and investigations are ongoing. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- otherThe Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine assisted with the searches, along with Belgian Police officers and Europol. (kilkennypeople.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 11 Sep2026Kilkenny involved in major garda operation spanning Europe
Covers the Irish searches in a multi-country horse trafficking operation led by Belgian authorities. No arrests or charges are reported, and the evidence is under analysis.