Tensions run high at meeting over fire at Kildare stud

An arson attack on a stud farm which caused over €150,000 worth of damage is “an attack on rural livelihoods.”

Recently elected senator Aubrey McCarthy also said that is not the first such incident and "two other farms have been targeted recently.”

He said two large hay barns were burned down in the incident at Rathasker Stud, Naas on February 7.

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He said the “grave incident” also resulted in the loss of 600 bales of hay and a horse box.

“The attack also put 18 valuable thoroughbred mares, which were in foal, in danger but they were rescued by workers and neighbours who moved them to safety. It was not just an attack on property or on a local business but on rural livelihoods in the neighbourhood,” added Sen McCarthy. 

He said that the nearby Killashee Hotel was targeted as well as  a housing development. 

He said he attended a meeting organised by the Irish Farmers Association at the Keadeen Hotel, Newbridge and "tensions were running very high and people were very upset and angry.”

Sen McCarthy said the sense of fear is palpable and “it is clear that the people of rural Ireland and in the Kildare area are frustrated and, it seems, increasingly vulnerable.”

He told Seanad Éireann the breeding and racing industry in Ireland contributed €2.5 billion in 2022 and employed over 30,000 people. 

He said Rathasker Stud plays a significant role in the sector but it also affects the community and the wider industry. 

“The attack raises the concern as to whether An Garda Síochána has the resources to police areas where juvenile offenders need to be dealt with. I urge the Minister for Justice to address this pressing issue.”

He said owner Maurice Burns and his daughter Madeline, who operate the stud, have received overwhelming support. 

But he said “rural Ireland must not be overlooked” and he said adequate resources must be allocated “to prevent such crimes and to protect people living in the countryside.”

Gardaí say they arrested three individuals as part of a probe into the  fire. Three male juveniles in their mid-teens were detained last week at local garda station during an operation this morning. 

All three have since been released without charge and referred to the Garda Youth Diversion Programme. The gardaí also say investigations are ongoing.