Gardaí are currently investigating the alleged arson attack which took place at Horan Stud Farm, Claregalway on New Year's Eve. The blaze resulted in the death of one horse, injuring and burning a number of horses and resulted in a member of the family being hospitalised due to smoke inhalation.
While communities in Galway were gathering gleefully to welcome 2025, New Year's Eve for show-jumper, stallion owner and horse breeder, Owen Horan, took a shocking turn following an alleged arson attack at his yard in Claregalway. Taking place at approximately 10:20pm on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, the blaze quickly spread through the stables, injuring the horses and ponies inside.
"My daughter and her partner live nearby and they saw the smoke coming out from the stables," explained Horan, taking a break from the gargantuan task of rebuilding his yard following the devastating event. "When they opened the doors to the stables, the smoke was so thick and black that they could not see anything but smoke.
"They risked their lives to save those horses. Only for the fact that my daughter is familiar with the layout of the stables and can find her way around from memory, it could have been much worse. My daughter could have died, her partner had to go to hospital afterwards."
Thankfully, due to the courage and quick thinking of Horan's daughter and her partner, most of the family's horses were left with burns but alive, but unfortunately the blaze claimed the life of one of the ponies and left another in a critical condition. Devastatingly, the pony that died in the fire belonged to Horan's young granddaughter.
"My granddaughter had only just named the pony the night before, she called her HSF (Horan Stud Farm Stella )," said Horan sadly. "Someone deliberately tried to kill all those horses."
Targeted
Shockingly, according to Horan this alleged attack on his yard is just the most recent in a long string of intimidating events and is the third alleged arson attack in 14 months, the second attack having taken place just eight weeks ago, in November 2024.
"This is the third shed that has been burned on my yard. The last attack happened in November after we built a new shed in the yard. They broke the lock into the shed and burned the truck in the shed to the ground and burned half of the roof of the shed.
"They have also ripped bales, slashed tires, let horses out and broken the windows in the tractors and that is just some of the things, there were several other incidents before that."
When asked how his family are coping following the incident, Horan's succinctly replied with 'not good', explaining that his family are afraid for their lives, unable to sleep, terrified that their home will be next.
"We can't sleep at night, my wife especially is terrified that the house will be next. My daughter was even followed home just a few days ago, with the people responsible parking outside our house to try and intimidate us.
"From what I see, it has gotten worse and worse and to be honest, the next step, I believe, will be to murder one of us."
In addition to this stress and fear, Horan finds himself between a rock and a hard place, trying to be there for his terrified family at home while also helping to care for his mother who has dementia.
"My mother has dementia and normally I would go and stay with her for a few nights, but since things have progressed, my wife is terrified to be at home alone."
Investigation
A statement from Gardaí regarding the issue to the Galway Advertiser reads, "Gardaí in Co Galway are investigating an incident of criminal damage by fire at a farm building at Cahergowan, Claregalway, at around 10.20pm on December 31, 2024.
"A horse died as a result of the fire. No other injuries were reported. The scene was preserved and a technical examination was carried out. Investigation ongoing.
"Anyone, including road users and pedestrians, who was in the Cahergowan area between 9pm and 11pm on December 31, and who observed any unusual activity or may have camera footage (including dash cam ), is asked to contact Oranmore Garda Station on 091 388030, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station."
Support
Facing a significant rebuild project and a long winter with a greatly reduced stock of winter fodder and feed for his horses, Horan turned to the local community and social media to highlight the incident and to garner support ahead of what is expected to be a tough few months ahead.
"Our neighbours have just been terrific, they have come down with tractors and helping us to clean up the site. We have a big task ahead of us and only for the support that we are getting, this could have finished us."
In addition to physically supporting the process of rebuilding the yard, a GoFundMe campaign was created by Claregalway based Springmount Riding Club on January 2. Initially settings the fundraising goal at €5,000, by Saturday, January 4, the campaign raised nearly €20,000 and now sits at just over €30,000. Flooded with supportive comments from fellow equestrian groups and farms, local businesses and organisations and well-meaning individuals who are not associated with horses, the overwhelming assistance and generosity shown to Horan has brightened an otherwise bleak week.
"People have been phenomenal and I want to thank everyone who has supported us over the past few days. We had been worrying about how we will get the money to start again and this will be such a big help.
"I have no words to describe the kindness that has been extended to us by so many people," he concluded.
