Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 12217Animal welfare offences (neglect and causing unnecessary suffering to dogs) · Co. Dublin · 8 Nov 2024

Dublin dog owner given lifetime animal ban over neglected puppies

Anthony Costello, 45, of Swords, Co Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin District Court to neglecting and causing unnecessary suffering to six dogs kept in crates at his home. He received a four-month sentence suspended for two years and a lifetime animal ban.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced4 Nov
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatCostello was handed a lifetime animal ban for keeping puppies stacked in crates at a house in Dublin. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereThe offences took place at a house in Swords, Co Dublin. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenDog wardens, assisted by the DSPCA and gardaí, entered the property on 8 November 2024. (thejournal.ie)
  • causeThe dogs had no access to water or food and were in crates stacked on top of each other. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationThe DSPCA notified the council about a complaint of an alleged puppy farm at Costello's home. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeFingal Co Council prosecuted Costello on 12 charges under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeCostello pleaded guilty to six counts of neglect and six counts of causing unnecessary suffering to the dogs. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceCostello received a four-month sentence, suspended for two years. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge imposed a lifetime ban on Costello owning animals, with the possibility of review later. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherCostello had been given a 10-year animal ban for a prior conviction. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe council incurred €14,644 in animal care bills and €1,850 in legal costs. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 4 Nov2025
    Sentencedthejournal.ie, first report
    Award-winning dog owner banned for life over crates of filthy puppies

    Reports the sentencing: a four-month sentence suspended for two years, a lifetime animal ban, and council costs of €14,644 for animal care plus €1,850 in legal costs. No existing case matches this prosecution.

    convicted, Anthony Costello, 45, male, named, irish (judged from name)Anthony Costello