The men are due to appear in court today
Four men have been arrested and charged in connection with organised deception and fraudulent practices involving the tampering of identification passports and microchips of horses due for slaughter.
The arrests come following a three year joint investigation carried out by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Food Safety Authority of Ireland.
The men were arrested and charged this morning, and they are due to appear at Kilkenny District Court today.
The four men are aged; one in their 30s, one in his 40s and two in their 50s

Jordanian Authorities Set To Decide On Whether To Release Person Of Interest In Jamey Carney Murder Case
Armagh Healthcare Worker Sentenced After She Filmed And Mocked Dementia Patients
Justice Minister And Law Society Talks End Amid Continued Criminal Legal Aid Scheme Unrest
€1.7M Of Cocaine Seized At Dublin Port
Clane Woman Charged With Monaghan Bomb Interception Further Remanded In Custody
Two People, Including Clane Woman, Due In Court Today After Bomb Discovered In Monaghan Last Week
Gardaí Investigating After Man Found Dead At Recycling Centre In Clondalkin
Two People Killed In Separate Overnight Road Crashes