Smithfiled horse fair is likely to go ahead "in some shape or form" this weekend, despite a decision by Dublin City Council to suspend it pending a health and safety review.
Horse owners and traders are considering legal action against the council, and Mr Eddie Dunne, president of Smithfield Horse Fair and Horse Owners' Association, believed this weekend's fair would go ahead "in some shape or form".
A horse bolted during the fair last month, crashed into a car on the quays and damaged a number of others.
Mr Aidan Maher, a council senior executive officer, said the council was concerned that somebody might be seriously injured or killed. "Smithfield is not appropriate" as a venue, Mr Maher said. The council is considering alternative venues, such as the Equine Centre in Ballyfermot.
However, once the fair is suspended "the council will put it on the long finger", according to Mr Dunne. He had repeatedly told the council the barriers the council erected were "an accident waiting to happen".
The market was smaller now but hugely popular, especially with tourists. "There are more cameras and videos on that market than on Roy Keane," he said.
He was angry that the council did not consult the horse fair committee about the suspension and said the council should have sent in a local TD to talk to owners and to mediate. "They made the decision and then called us in to tell us."
The fair is held at Smithfield market square, just off Arran Quay on the first Sunday of every month.
"We have been stewarding the horse fair since the 1970s and nothing ever happened," said Mr Dunne. The barriers were the problem, because they hemmed in the horses. Stewarding was also a problem.
The council said it had put in a perimeter fence and tethering ropes at bollards in the square, but owners were apparently using the perimeter fence to tether animals.
Mr Maher said the council had put in €60,000 annually and there was an increased level of stewarding and policing. "Smithfield is not appropriate. The horse owners, frankly, are not using the correct ropes."
Mr Dunne believed owners would gather this weekend despite the decision. "It's like somebody in the council saying all pubs should be closed down. Do you think publicans would agree to that?" They might stop the horses, "but people will still go in."
The council had agreed a new site with horse owners, at Grangegorman, but that site was subsequently redeveloped.
"We have been trying to work with all the parties involved. We are trying to do our best," said Mr Maher. "We are trying to do the right thing."
He said that when the horse bolted and ran on to the quays it crashed into a car, putting its head through the glass opposite to where a young child was sitting. "Nobody subsequently claimed ownership of the horse."
Asked if the council was responsible for the damage, Mr Maher said, "the matter is with the lawyers".
