Ould Lammas Fair Horses Decision Expected

Moyle Council will decide next Monday whether or not to allow any horse trading on the street at the Auld Lammas Fair in Ballycastle at the end of the month, the BBC has reported.

Earlier this year, councillors banned the 400-year-old tradition of buying and selling horses in Fairhill Street.

They cited health and safety and animal welfare concerns, and suggested that horse trading take place on playing fields.

But traders want to continue the tradition of getting the horse to run up and down the street.

Vincent Traynor, a local horse and fair enthusiast, said: "We are still hopeful that there could be a wee bit of work going on in the street.

"We do understand there is legislation for animal welfare, but various other fairs have not these issues. We can't understand why Ballycastle has to take it to this extreme level.

"With just three weeks to go, we are asking the council to monitor this, I am hoping they take our points on board and hopefully we can make Ballycastle a safer fair."

SDLP councillor Donal Cunningham said that under the Animal Welfare Act, there were issues in terms of offering access to water, hay and personal space to the horses.

"2012 would be our chance to consider these controlled issues," he said.

"The option proposed means stricter controls and the use of the field and the fair green."

New legislation means the council is now responsible for animal welfare.

(NE)