Wednesday 28 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. 2779Personal injury (dog bite – civil) · Co. Meath · 16 Aug 2023

Girl bitten by border collie settles High Court claim for €185,000

Sibéal Flynn, who was 10 when a border collie sheepdog bit her on the face at Swainstown House, Dunsany, Co Meath, in August 2023, settled a High Court personal injury claim for €185,000 against the farm owners John and Arthur Preston.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court9 Dec
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
16 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA 10-year-old girl was bitten on the face by a border collie sheepdog while feeding chickens on a farm (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe dog knocked her to the ground and bit her about the face several times (irishtimes.com)
  • whatShe suffered claw scratch marks to her back and thighs as the sheepdog gave chase (irishtimes.com)
  • whatShe required 50 stitches to her face and surgery to repair the bite wound (irishtimes.com)
  • whatShe spent three days in hospital (irishtimes.com)
  • whatShe was left with a 30mm curved scar around her lip area (irishtimes.com)
  • whatShe suffered PTSD with flashbacks and nightmares following the attack (irishtimes.com)
  • whatShe lost consciousness at one stage during the attack (irishtimes.com)
  • whatShe is now afraid of dogs outside the house despite having three pet dogs at home (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe children were attending an equestrian facility at Swainstown House at the time (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe claim was settled for €185,000 (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe girl was taken by ambulance to hospital (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe farm owners John and Arthur Preston were the defendants in the action (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe attack took place at the open farm at Swainstown House, Dunsany, Co Meath (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe attack occurred on 16 August 2023 (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMs Justice Nuala Jackson approved the settlement in the High Court (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 9 Dec2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Girl (10) bitten on face by border collie settles High Court claim for €185,000

    Reports the settlement of the High Court claim and details of the injury and its ongoing effects.

    victim, Sibéal Flynn, 10, female, irish (judged from name)Sibéal Flynnsuspect, irish (judged from name)suspect, Arthur Preston, named, irish (judged from name)Arthur Preston