Ireland Appeal against ruling keeping dog alleged to have bitten garda in kennels
In January, gardaí arrested Kevin O'Keefe at his home in Dublin 2 on foot of a bench warrant from Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, and his dog, which was allegedly involved in biting a garda during the arrest, was seized and placed in professionally run kennels. A garda complained under the 1986 Control of Dogs Act, and the District Court ordered the dog destroyed; O'Keefe brought a judicial review against the Garda Commissioner, and the Commissioner agreed the order should be set aside and sent back to the District Court. In August 2023 the High Court judge held that the dog should remain in kennels pending rehearing, rejected its release to a relative, and dismissed a stay pending appeal. O'Keefe is now appealing that decision to the Court of Appeal, and he is serving a 2½-year sentence in Mountjoy Prison.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court23 Aug
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A garda was allegedly attacked and bitten by a dog during the arrest of its owner.
- The owner, Kevin O'Keefe, denies that the dog bit the garda.
- Where
- The owner has an address at Oliver Bond Flats in Dublin 2, and the arrest took place at his home.
- When
- O'Keefe was arrested by gardaí at his home in January.
- Cause
- The arrest was made on foot of a bench warrant issued by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
- Investigation
- The dog, known as Theo, also called Cleo and Deo, was seized and placed in professionally run kennels.
- Charges
- The article does not report a criminal charge over the alleged bite; the case concerns the dog.
- In court
- A garda complained under the 1986 Control of Dogs Act, and the District Court ordered the dog destroyed.
- O'Keefe brought a judicial review against the Garda Commissioner, and the Commissioner agreed the destruction order should be set aside and sent back to the District Court.
- In August 2023 the High Court judge held it was in the public interest that the dog remain incarcerated pending rehearing.
- The judge rejected O'Keefe's bid to have the dog released into the care of a relative and dismissed his application for a stay on the kennelling order pending appeal.
- The judge found that a vet's report agreed the animal is a dangerous dog.
- The judge decided that neither side would recover costs.
- O'Keefe is appealing the decision to the Court of Appeal.
- Sentence
- O'Keefe is serving a 2½-year sentence in Mountjoy Prison.
17 statements extracted from the articles
- whatDuring the arrest, a garda was allegedly attacked and bitten by the dog. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe dog's owner has an address at Oliver Bond Flats in Dublin 2. (irishtimes.com)
- whenO’Keefe was arrested by gardaí at his home last January. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe dog was seized and placed in professionally run kennels. (irishtimes.com)
- courtA garda complained under the 1986 Control of Dogs Act, and the District Court ordered the dog destroyed. (irishtimes.com)
- courtO’Keefe brought a judicial review against the Garda Commissioner. (irishtimes.com)
- courtO’Keefe rejects claims that the dog bit the garda. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe Commissioner agreed that the destruction order should be set aside and sent back to the District Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe High Court judge held it was in the public interest that the dog remain incarcerated pending rehearing. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge rejected O’Keefe’s bid to have the dog released into the care of a relative. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge found a vet's report agreed the animal is a dangerous dog. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge dismissed O’Keefe’s application for a stay on the kennelling order pending appeal. (irishtimes.com)
- courtO’Keefe is appealing the decision to the Court of Appeal. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe destruction order was quashed. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge decided that neither side would recover costs. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe arrest was made on foot of a bench warrant issued by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
- otherO’Keefe, the dog's owner, is serving a 2½-year sentence in Mountjoy Prison. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 23 Aug2023Appeal brought against ruling keeping dog alleged to have bitten garda in professional kennels
A High Court judicial review concerning a dog allegedly involved in an attack on a garda during a January arrest at O’Keefe's home. The article covers the court rulings on the dog's kennelling and costs and an appeal to the Court of Appeal. It does not report a criminal charge over the bite. The owner is listed as suspect because the case concerns his dog, not because he is charged with the bite.
suspect, Kevin O'Keefe, male, named, irish (judged from name)Kevin O'Keefevictim