A legal dispute has arisen over a pair of beloved donkeys in Rathnew, Co Wicklow, with the duo’s carers starting an online petition calling for support to stop them being taken away.
Gerry and Sandra Kinsella became the guardians of Wags and Trey 13 years ago, having fostered them from Donkey Sanctuary Ireland, and they currently reside at Brickfield Sidings Farm beside Burke’s Hardware in Rathnew.
Now the Wicklow couple say they're heartbroken over a legal row that could see them losing their donkeys.
The relationship has broken down following a dispute over passports and welfare.
Donkey Sanctuary Ireland now wishes to take the donkeys back, claiming they have “grounds for serious concerns about both the conduct of the guardian and the welfare of the donkeys”, claims which the Kinsellas reject.
Donkey Sanctuary Ireland said they have issued legal proceedings against the Kinsellas to retrieve the donkeys.
Speaking on Tuesday, Mr Kinsella said: “Our local community knows and loves these donkeys. Children visit them, neighbours stop to say hello, and they bring happiness to many.
“They are happy and well-loved. Despite this, we are now being threatened by the Donkey Sanctuary who are trying to take them away.”
DSI says it "doesn't recognise" the order of events reported on social media, and says it has no option but to pursue legal proceedings.
He said the issues began in 2021 when the Department of Agriculture carried out Ireland’s first National Equine Census, and Gerry and Sandra included Wags and Trey, as they were legally required to do so.
Nine months later the department asked for an update on their passports as they were both originally from the UK. The Department of Agriculture states that when a foreign-registered equine moves to live in Ireland, the associated passport must be lodged with an Irish passport issuing organisation within 30 days of coming into the country. Gerry and Sandra maintain that this wasn’t carried out by Donkey Sanctuary Ireland.
“I followed their instructions and legally transferred their passports to the Irish Equine Passport Database,” said Gerry. “This made me their official keeper carer, and we were able to complete the census.
“In doing so, they were removed from the UK database, which the Donkey Sanctuary Ireland had registered them with. In good faith, I informed the Donkey Sanctuary Ireland that I changed Wags’ and Trey’s passports into Irish passports to complete the equine census.”
Since these actions were taken, Gerry says that Donkey Sanctuary Ireland has been trying to take the donkeys back to live with them at their base in Cork.
In a bid to stop this happening, Gerry and Sandra have started a change.org petition titled ‘Save the donkeys from being taken from their home’, which has already amassed 1,170 signatures.
In the plea on change.org, the couple state that “we’ve always looked after them with love, respect, and responsibility. Now, we’re facing the heartbreak of losing them through no fault of their own”.
“If you’ve ever stopped to say hello, shared an apple, taken a photo, or simply smiled at the sight of them — please sign this petition,” they add.
Wicklow Animal Welfare’s founder Fiona Gammell is among those who have lent support to the Kinsellas.
“I know the two donkeys from driving past them so regularly,” she said. “I always felt there were two of the luckiest donkeys in Ireland, because of the beautiful home they were provided with and because you can see just how well they are looked after.”
In response to the claims made by the Kinsellas, a spokesperson for Donkey Sanctuary Ireland said: “The welfare of our donkeys is always our utmost priority. That is why all our guardians must commit to following strict guidelines on matters such as passports, routine healthcare and regular meetings with our welfare advisors.
“We do not recognise the order of events and claims published on social media by the guardian.”
The statement claims that this “undermines the dedication shown by our passionate and committed staff over many years”.
“We have no option but to pursue legal proceedings in the hope of settling on a resolution that is in the best interests of the donkeys involved,” the statement concluded.
