Two Irish universities paid overseas labs to carry out animal experiments outside the EU between 2020 and 2026, according to an investigation by The Journal published on October 8. Because the work happened abroad, Ireland's regulator for animal research had no role in approving or inspecting it, and those animals don't appear in Ireland's official figures. Both universities say the studies met legal and ethical requirements.

What the investigation found

The Journal Investigates asked eight Irish universities about animal studies commissioned outside the EU. Two said they had them: the University of Galway and RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences.

The reporters found 17 studies in total. Twelve were commissioned by Galway, which first identified nine and found three more after an internal review. Five were commissioned by RCSI, two in the US and three in the UK. Galway's studies were placed in the US, India and Malaysia.

The animals involved included pigs, sheep, rabbits, chinchillas, mice and rats. The research covered areas such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, women's health, lung disease and wound healing. Some studies involved surgery, and The Journal reported that some animals died during procedures, citing in part records obtained by the Irish Anti-Vivisection Society.

Galway paid €417,611 to seven overseas organizations, according to the investigation. Both universities withheld key details, including exact animal numbers, welfare outcomes, ethics approvals and contracts. Galway cited Freedom of Information exemptions.

The Journal also reported that US Department of Agriculture inspectors had found welfare violations at two of the US facilities used, North Dakota State University and Powered Research, before the Irish studies were commissioned. Those findings related to earlier work. The universities didn't directly say whether they knew about them. The records reviewed don't show that the overseas studies broke local welfare rules.

What each side says

The universities. Galway said the overseas collaborations followed "legal, ethical and governance requirements," with oversight by the authorities where the work took place. In a statement reported by Galway Bay FM, it said animal research only goes ahead after alternatives have been exhausted. RCSI said it commissions studies only when they could improve health or welfare and no alternative exists, and that overseas partners need local approval and suitable experience.

Regulators and funders. Ireland's Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) confirmed that Irish law only applies inside Ireland. Enterprise Ireland said it doesn't approve individual animal studies. Research Ireland said institutions must follow the "spirit of Irish legislation" as well as local law when working abroad.

Critics and experts. Dr. Dan Lyons of the Irish Anti-Vivisection Society argued that work not allowed in the EU shouldn't be allowed outside it either. Dr. Ngaire Dennison, who chairs Ireland's national committee on animals used in science, said work is sometimes placed elsewhere "because it's cheaper," and backed openness about animal numbers. Prof. Emma Robinson of the University of Bristol said specialist expertise isn't always available in Ireland or the EU, and that transparency matters.

Why it matters for animals

Animals used in research inside Ireland are counted in the country's annual statistics. The ones in these overseas studies aren't, according to The Journal, and with key records withheld, the public can't see how many animals were used or what happened to them. Separate records obtained by Galway Live show the University of Galway used more than 6,000 animals in its own Irish research over four years.

What happens next

Campaigners want Irish institutions barred from commissioning experiments abroad that EU rules wouldn't allow. In June 2026, the European Commission adopted a roadmap to phase out animal testing for chemical safety assessments.

What you can do

  • If you live in Ireland, you can write to your TDs and ask whether overseas animal studies paid for by Irish institutions or public funders should be reported in national statistics.
  • Put your questions to the universities and research funders named in the investigation. All of them gave public statements to The Journal.
  • Read the full investigation before sharing. It is careful about what the records do and don't show.

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