Gardai in Wicklow have seized four unchipped horses from a housing estate in Wicklow town early this morning.
The animals had been roaming the Seacliff estate for a number of weeks and were in poor condition.
The impounded horses will not be released unless the owner can provide proof that they have a passport, have paid the appropriate fees and have access to lands registered under the equine regulations.
The seizure of horses made headlines last month after 63 impounded horses were euthanised after owners could not produce the necessary documentation.
There is growing pressure on Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney to deal with the growing problem of unchipped, roaming horses around the country, as according to horse owners, the cost of microchipping a horse often exceeds the value of the animal.
Meanwhile, the foal Hero, who was rescued by the Irish Horse Welfare Trust, has been released from quarantine.
