WATCH: 'Utter carnage': Sulky race in Limerick ends in violent collision with horses injured

A LAWLESS sulky race on a busy road in County Limerick that left three horses and a rider injured after crashing into a jeep - and forced oncoming traffic into the hard shoulder - has been described as “absolutely contemptible” by a local minister.

The Limerick Leader has secured mobile phone footage of up to 10 sulkies racing on the N21 near Newcastle West. It was taken by one of those in a support vehicle while he was hanging out a  passenger window. 

The man shouts, “Watch out for the cars, boys” seconds before a shocking pile-up with one horse crashing into the back of a BMW jeep, smashing the back window. 

Two other horses ahead of the jeep ended up lying prone on the ground while still attached to the sulky. A young man can be seen writhing in agony at the side of the road. There was a convoy of jeeps, cars, SUVs, vans and pickups travelling with the sulky race.

The illegal race and collision doesn’t appear to have been officially reported to gardai but the Leader understands that gardai are making enquiries regarding the matter.

The video shows one sulky overtaking another on the wrong side of the road a split second after a bus passes.  They force oncoming traffic into the hard shoulder.

The support vehicles are also undertaking and overtaking on the wrong side of the road. At times in the clip, the sulkies and vehicles are three and four abreast. One motorist drives up an embankment to take evasive actions amid the chaotic scenes. A number of men are hanging out the windows to record the sulky race with their mobile phones.

After the collision a man can be heard shouting: “Pull in there. Turn around and go back. The guards will be on the road.” 

Minister of State Niall Collins described the actions of those involved as “absolutely contemptible".

“I’ve seen the video and the participants show a complete disregard for human or equine life. This is a busy stretch of road as is, so to have up to 10 sulkies and a number of cars and jeeps overtaking on the wrong side of the road and undertaking is absolutely contemptible. It is beyond dangerous,” said Mr Collins.

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He said he couldn’t imagine what it must have been like for a motorist coming against a wall of sulkies and vehicles. 

“Two of the horses ended up injured on the road and it is pure luck that the drivers or any passengers of the other vehicles were not involved in a serious collision.

"It is only a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt or worse by this reckless behaviour,” said Mr Collins, who adds that he hopes those involved will face the full rigors of the law and that a message goes out that it is not acceptable behaviour on a public road in a civilised society.

The sulky race occurred on March 16. It is believed an annual race is organised to celebrate St Patrick's Day as they know  garda resources will be tied up in local parades. A horse was left for dead on the road in the same race last year.