Friday 30 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. 15367Dog attack (alleged) · Co. Longford · 21 Nov 2024

Gardaí investigate alleged dog attack on two-year-old boy in Longford

On Thursday 21 November 2024, shortly after 10pm, a two-year-old boy, Paddy Joyce, was allegedly bitten by a dog in the Chapel Lane area of Longford town. His father, Patrick Joyce, was bitten on the arm while rescuing him, and the boy was taken to a doctor and then to Mullingar Regional Hospital for treatment. Gardaí received a complaint and confirmed on 27 November 2024 that enquiries were ongoing. As of the latest report, no arrest, charge or suspect had been reported.

  1. Reported27 Nov
    2 reports
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A two-year-old boy, Paddy Joyce, was allegedly bitten by a dog.
  • The boy's father, Patrick Joyce, was bitten on the arm while rescuing him; one account says the right arm and leg.
  • Accounts differ on the boy's injury: one says the first bite was to the side of his belly, and another says an infection developed in his arm where he was bitten.
Where
The alleged attack happened in the Chapel Lane area of Longford town.
When
The attack happened shortly after 10pm on Thursday 21 November 2024, according to a Garda statement.
Cause
The dog allegedly attacked the boy as he came in a back door carrying a bike.
Other details
  • The boy was taken to a doctor and then to Mullingar Regional Hospital, where he received treatment.
  • The father says the dog was vicious.
Investigation
  • The incident was reported to gardaí and the Longford Dog Warden.
  • Gardaí in Longford are investigating after receiving a complaint, and said enquiries were ongoing when the case was reported on 27 November 2024.
Charges
No arrest, charge or suspect has been reported, and the dog's owner has not been named.
22 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA two-year-old boy was bitten by a dog. (longfordleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatThe first bite was to the side of the boy's belly. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatThe boy's father was bitten on the right arm and on the leg. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereThe attack happened in the Chapel Lane area of Longford town. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whereThe alleged attack happened in the Chapel Lane area of Longford town. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe alleged attack happened shortly after 10pm on Thursday night. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenThe attack happened shortly after 10pm on a Thursday night. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenA Garda statement gives the date of the incident as Thursday, 21 November, at about 10pm. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • causeThe dog attacked the child as he came in the back door. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationThe incident was reported to gardaí and the Longford Dog Warden. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationA Garda spokesperson said gardaí are investigating. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí said enquiries are ongoing. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí confirmed they are investigating the incident. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationGarda enquiries into the incident are ongoing. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe boy was coming in a back door with a bike when the dog attacked. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherThe boy's father was bitten on the arm while rescuing him. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherThe boy has an infection in his arm where the dog bit him. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherThe boy was taken to a doctor and then to Mullingar Regional Hospital, where he has been receiving treatment. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherThe father says the dog was vicious. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe boy was taken to a doctor and then to Mullingar Regional Hospital, where he received treatment. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe boy's bite wound became infected. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe father reported the incident to gardaí and the Longford Dog Warden. (offalyexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 27 Nov2024
    Reportedoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    'Thank God I just got him out alive' - Gardaí in the Midlands probe dog attack on two-year-old boy

    First report of the alleged Chapel Lane dog attack. The article gives the father's account and the Garda confirmation that enquiries are ongoing. No existing case covers this incident.

    victim, Paddy Joyce, 2, male, irish (judged from name)Paddy Joycevictim, Patrick Joyce, male, irish (judged from name)Patrick Joyce
  2. 27 Nov2024
    Reportedlongfordleader.ie, follow-up
    'Thank God I just got him out alive': Longford Gardaí probe dog attack on young boy (2)

    First report of the incident. Gardaí confirm they are aware of an alleged dog incident and that enquiries are ongoing. No arrest, charge or suspect is reported, and the dog owner is not named.

    victim, Paddy Joyce, 2, male, irish (judged from name)Paddy Joyce