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Dr Laura Donnellan published a chapter titled 'Recent Developments in Animal Welfare Law in Ireland' in Federico Dalpane, Maria Baideldinova eds, Animal Law Worldwide: Key Issues and Main Trends Across 27 Jurisdictions (Asser Press/Springer 2024).

The chapter explores the development of animal welfare legislation in Ireland. Embedded in the historical, economic, social, and cultural evolution of the Irish state, the relationship between humans and animals has been a notable feature. 

Beginning with the Act against the Plowing by the Tayle and pulling the Wooll off living Sheep of 1635, the Irish parliament was the first in the world to enact anti-cruelty legislation. While the motivations behind the Act were not so benevolent, it nevertheless endeavoured to prohibit cruel farming practices. The world’s first contemporary anti-cruelty statute, the Cruel Treatment of Cattle Act 1822, was drafted by an Irish member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Richard Martin. 

Although the Irish state was founded in 1919, the Protection of Animals Act 1911, a bastion of British rule, remained in force until 2013. The Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 Act heralded a more rigorous approach to animal welfare in Ireland as it has increased the powers of authorised officials to investigate allegations of animal abuse. It also placed on a statutory basis, for the first time under Irish law, a duty to protect animal welfare. The robustness of the 2013 Act has been tested in the superior courts by way of judicial review..