Couple fined after dog near Offaly border 'savaged' by German shepherds

A COUPLE whose German shepherds were said to have “savaged” a neighbouring woman's dog were fined €1,000 after paying €10,000 in compensation.

Judge Andrew Cody fined Ronan McDonnell (48) and Nicola Donlon (44), with an address at Lissavra Big, Streamstown, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, €500 each.

They had previously been convicted of having uncontrolled dogs and sentencing was adjourned for a victim impact statement.

Mr McDonnell had been convicted of having uncontrolled dogs at Corgarve, Streamstown on December 4, 2024 and January 17, 2025.

When Judge Cody read the victim impact statement he noted that no apology had been received by the injured party.

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Jade O'Brien, BL, defending, said both accused were deeply apologetic and had spoken to the victim outside and offered €10,000 in compensation which they had brought to court in cash.

Ms O'Brien said the couple had four children and Mr McDonnell worked as a project manager of a building firm.

She said Nicola cared for the children and her father and both of her clients were heavily involved in the local community.

Ronan McDonnell spent a considerable amount of time working with the local GAA club, volunteering with under 16 boy and under 14 girls teams, and the minor boys team.

Ms O'Brien added that since September he had been involved in CPR training locally and was involved in establishing a medical emergency rapid responders' group for the area.

Defence counsel said both contributed to community events which included assisting with senior citizens parties, fundraising for local community centre.

She further told the court Ronan McDonnell also managed the local community crime alert group voluntarily.

Since the incident which led to the prosecution they had addressed concerns and hoped to have alleviated any concerns over the dogs.

One of the dogs had been rehomed and the remaining dog was in a secure enclosure and was supervised whenever it is outside.

Ms O'Brien said the dog warden was satisfied when he visited the property.

She said neither of the accused had any previous convictions and asked Judge Cody to be as lenient as possibly and to consider applying the Probation Act.

Invited by the judge to comment in court, the woman said she had received an apology and stated she wanted her family to be safe, for there to be no more hostile behaviour and not to be excluded from the community.

Judge Cody said the injured party and her partner had been “removed” from the community text alert.

He told Ms O'Brien she had been “extolling” her clients' virtues yet the other couple were still excluded.

Ms O'Brien said that position would be rectified and Mr McDonnell indicated the same.

Judge Cody remarked: “Everything is at the last minute. Compensation at the last minute, apology at the last minute.”

Ms O'Brien said there had been some difficulties between the parties.

The judge said that the case before him proved that “good fences make good neighbours” and noted that the other women lived beside the defendants.

While the charge before the court related to two uncontrolled German shepherds one had to accept video evidence which showed them “behaving in a very aggressive manner” towards the injured parties' dog.

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“I've no doubt, even though it wasn't on film, that he was attacked by the dogs owned by Ms Donlon and Mr McDonnell,” said the judge, adding that the “the Bart Simpson defence” of “Nobody saw me, I didn't do it” had been offered.

“It was quite obvious to me that their two dogs savaged the dog and he was admitted to intensive care in UCD over the Christmas period,” added the judge.

He said that must have been very distressing for the family and the total cost in veterinary expenses was €10,000 which was “only paid today”.

He fined Mr McDonnell and Ms Donlon €500 each, giving them three months to pay. Other summonses were taken into consideration.

“This would have been a lot different if they had approached this in a completely different manner,” he stated.

He did fix recognisances for an appeal.