The judge ordered the immediate return of the racehorse

The horse was seized and transported to a veterinary hospital, where the examining vet found that it was extremely emaciated with no fat evident anywhere

Inspectors from the ISPCA rescued the 7-year-old horse called Dash at the Ballinasloe Fair in October.

The Defence Forces said the sedative had ‘no beneficial performance-enhancing effect’ for the horse.

The abuses were uncovered in the RTÉ Investigates documentary which aired on Wednesday night

Inquest hears staff at Mullingar hospital felt woman who suffered fatal kick to head was "not bad enough" to need specialist care in Beaumont