Gardaí and the Department of Agriculture are investigating after eight dead horses were discovered in the Clonmel area of Tipperary over the past few days.

Seven dead horses in varying stages of decomposition were discovered in one field on the outskirts of the town by walkers just before Christmas.

The land is in private ownership but the registered landowner said that the horses were not his and had been placed on his land without his knowledge or permission.

Another horse was found dead in an area of the town of Clonmel during the week.

The carcasses have now been removed and the surviving horses in the herd have been placed in a pound in Cork.

Mayor of Clonmel Borough District Cllr Catherine Carey said she was deeply traumatised by what she had seen in the field. She said that efforts are under way to re-home the surviving animals.

A newly-established animal welfare group is appealing for stricter enforcement of horse ownership regulations.

Ann Williamson of the Action for Animal Welfare Group said that all horse owners should have sufficient land and feed for their animals and that all horses should be microchipped and have a valid passport.

Efforts are continuing to identify the owners of the dead horses.