#MostEvil | horse trader Mark McGurk, born c. 1998, of Glenpark Road, Gortin, Omagh – stabbed a horse in a revenge attack against traveller Harry Evans
Paedophile Mark McGurk is currently serving a prison term for sexual activity with a child. He was on bail for the horse cruelty matter when he sexually assaulted the child, after a cocaine and alcohol binge at a birthday party on October 5, 2019.
Despite previous denials McGurk ultimately admitted deliberately causing unnecessary suffering to the horse on June 10, 2019.
The court heard police were advised of the horse being stabbed at premises in the Gortreagh Road of Cookstown and on arrival McGurk identified himself as the owner.
An on-call vet was treating the horse and a number of puncture wounds were observed.
McGurk said he has been drinking with a fellow horse trader, traveller Harry Evans (an abuser in his own right albeit not yet convicted) and claimed that Evans had stabbed the horse after becoming “agitated”
Police were told Evans may still be in the area but they found him at his Magherafelt home, where he showed them a video sent to him by McGurk, via Facebook.
The distressing footage clearly showed the horse being stabbed.
McGurk was arrested and interviewed, but with the exception of claiming to own the horse, thereafter made no comment.
A vet provided a report on the severity of the injuries, confirming the horse had to be put down.
McGurk’s defence barrister said: “[He] expresses guilt, shame and remorse, in the strongest possible terms. He was behaving erratically, unpredictably and irrationally at the time. He describes the act as a moment of madness and can give no other explanation. He got emergency assistance from a vet and tried to stop the bleeding.”
Asked why the attack was filmed, the defence said the two men had a disagreement to which Judge Ranaghan remarked: “I can’t see it as anything but revenge. Repeatedly stabbing that totally innocent animal which had the misfortune to be in the defendant’s care, was a profoundly evil act.
“I cannot begin to imagine the level of what that defenceless horse suffered involving extreme pain, fear and distress. One cut was very deep and probably caused its death. This wasn’t a moment of madness. It was at least four moments of madness. Blood was pooling around that defenceless animal’s feet. That level of evil cruelty is disturbing.”
Sentencing | jailed for seven months. Seven-year ban on owning any animal.
This is absolutely Unbelievable.
Looking at his Facebook Page.
All Equines, Horses and Donkeys are in really good condition and look real well cared for.
Yet in a fit of rage he has Stabbed A Horse in a revenge attack.
So Sad.
Vile ,disgusting maggots who both need a bullet ,N.I is terrible for cruelty of all forms towards animals and always has been sadly