In September 2025, at Navan District Court, Judge Éirinn McKiernan heard how NSPCA Chief Inspector Conor Dowling called to the defendant’s premises in January 2024 with Meath County dog wardens Alan Nolan and Fiona O’Connor.
They found 11 German Shepherds in a total of nine kennels. All kennels had a build up of urine and faeces, five out of the nine kennels had no water, and four other kennels had contaminated water. One dog found on the day was deceased and partially decomposed.
The court heard the dogs had no option but to lie down in these conditions. All the dogs were visibly underweight and some had movement difficulty as a result. When some of the dogs were released from their kennel they sought out any water to satisfy their thirst. All 10 living dogs were removed and subsequent veterinary examinations found that four of the dogs had body condition scores of 1.5/9 or less which wasclassed as emaciated.
In the weeks after their removal, three more of them unfortunately died or were euthanised due to the severity of their neglect.
The defendant, a 33 year old Meath man, had pleaded guilty to six offences under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. Judge Éirinn McKiernan said the case was a very serious one involving wonderful animals who relied completely on their owner.
She said their ill-treatment could not be tolerated on any level, describing it as “completely and utterly unacceptable”. The judge imposed a three-month prison sentence, disqualified him from keeping animals for 10 years, and ordered that he pay €23,000 in costs.
The defendant lodged an appeal against his sentence.
On Tuesday 2nd December 2025, in Trim Circuit Appeals Court, a Defending barrister Fergal McMorrow told the court that the defendant had no issue with the 10 year ban from owning animals, but wanted to appeal the prison sentence.
His barrister cited his autistic 7-year-old child and that he had an unusual golfing incident in 2024 where he had sustained a head injury and said that his client was “deeply ashamed”
Judge John Martin said “Yes, you’re apologetic, but I’m not sure if the dogs would understand that. I’m not sure who you’re apologising to.”
Judge Martin increased the three month sentence to six months, suspended for 18 months, on the condition that he keeps the peace with all people and animals. He reaffirmed the 10 year disqualification and the order to pay costs.
Please continue to report any suspicions of animal cruelty or neglect to the NSPCA National Animal Cruelty Helpline by calling 0818 515 515, email [email protected] or report online here: https://ispca.ie/report-cruelty/.
If you can, please support the NSPCA’s vital rescue work by making a life-saving donation today. You will be helping rescue more animals from appalling situations: https://ispca.ie/donations/
