Ireland High Court judge reserves ruling on dog destruction appeal in Dublin
On 28 March 2025, four gardaí on routine patrol at Sheephill Avenue, Blanchardstown, Dublin, alleged that Veronica Maher, 54, let her unmuzzled XL Bully dog Odie run at them, forcing them to jump into neighbouring gardens and hide behind walls. Maher denied opening the gate, saying a garda threw something into her front garden and the dog jumped the wall. The four dogs were seized on 4 April 2025, and in May 2025 Dublin District Court ordered their destruction under the Control of Dogs Act, with Maher to pay €11,216 for their care. The Circuit Civil Court affirmed the order for Odie in December 2025, and Maher is now appealing in the High Court, where Judge Dignam has reserved his ruling on the admission of the District Court transcript. Maher's late husband Jason Hennessy snr was shot dead in a gang-related attack at Browne's Steakhouse, Blanchardstown, on Christmas Eve 2023.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court11 Jun
4 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Four gardaí alleged that Veronica Maher let her unmuzzled, unleashed XL Bully dog Odie run at them, forcing them to jump into neighbouring gardens and hide behind garden walls.
- Maher denied opening the gate, alleging a garda threw something into her front garden and the dog jumped the wall, and said the dogs had never caused problems.
- Where
- The incident occurred at Maher's home on Sheephill Avenue, Blanchardstown, Dublin.
- When
- The dog incident occurred on 28 March 2025 and the four dogs were seized on 4 April 2025.
- Charges
- The Gardaí applied under the Control of Dogs Act 1986 for an order to destroy the four XL Bully dogs, named Odie, Reggie, Medusa, and Joe.
- In court
- In May 2025, Dublin District Court Judge Anthony Halpin found the dogs dangerous and not under proper control, ordered their destruction, and directed Maher to pay €11,216 for their care.
- In December 2025, Circuit Civil Court Judge John Martin affirmed the District Court order for the destruction of Odie.
- In May 2026, Maher is appealing in the High Court, where Judge Conor Dignam reserved his ruling on whether the District Court transcript should be admitted.
- Other details
- There is a temporary halt on the dogs being put down pending the outcome of the appeals.
- Maher's late husband Jason Hennessy snr was shot dead in a gang-related attack at Browne's Steakhouse, Blanchardstown, on Christmas Eve 2023.
30 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe four dogs are named Oddie, Reggie, their mother Medusa, and Joe. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMs Maher denied opening a gate to unleash the unmuzzled dog on gardaí patrolling in her cul-de-sac. (irishtimes.com)
- whatFour gardaí alleged Veronica Maher let out the uncontrolled dog onto the roadway (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe dog was not muzzled or on a leash (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe gardaí had to jump into neighbouring gardens and hide behind garden walls (irishtimes.com)
- whatVeronica Maher allegedly shouted at the gardaí calling them murderers and scumbags (irishtimes.com)
- whatVeronica Maher said the dog was loving and friendly and played with children aged one to eleven (irishtimes.com)
- whatVeronica Maher alleged one gardaí threw something into her front garden and the dog jumped the wall (irishtimes.com)
- whatJason Hennessy was shot dead in a gang-related attack at Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown on Christmas Eve 2023 (irishtimes.com)
- whatGardaí alleged that Maher threatened to release the dog again if they did not leave, which she denied. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMaher's other XL Bully dogs were not involved in the incident. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMaher stated the dogs had never caused problems and had no behavioural issues. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- whatGardaí alleged Maher threatened to release the dog again if they did not leave, which she denied. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe dogs were seized in Dublin, Blanchardstown. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe dog incident occurred at Sheephill Avenue, Corduff, Dublin (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe incident occurred at Maher's home on Sheephill Avenue, Blanchardstown, Dublin, in March 2025. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe dogs were taken from Ms Maher on 4 April 2025. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe dog incident occurred on 28 March 2025 (irishtimes.com)
- courtA judge ordered Veronica Maher to pay over €11,000 for the care of her four XL Bully dogs. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMs Maher appeared before Dublin District Court on 28 May to challenge a Garda application under the Control of Dogs Act. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMs Maher is to appeal the ruling in the Circuit Court and may bring a judicial review of the destruction order for the other three dogs. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Halpin found the dogs were dangerous and not under proper control. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge John Martin affirmed the District Court order for the dog's destruction in the Circuit Civil Court (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe case was heard in the Circuit Civil Court on Wednesday 17 December 2025 (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Halpin found the dogs were dangerous and not under proper control and ordered their destruction. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe High Court is also asked to clarify whether the District Court judge had adequate evidence to make the destruction orders. (irishtimes.com)
- courtBarrister Shelley Horan, with Frank Kennedy, submitted the court cannot determine the appeal questions without the transcript. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- courtJudge Dignam said he would give his ruling on the application at a later date. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThere is a temporary halt on the dogs being put down pending the outcome of the appeals. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMs Maher's late husband Jason Hennessy snr was shot dead in a Blanchardstown steakhouse on Christmas Eve 2023. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 13 May2026Gangland murder victim's widow in court battle to save XL Bully
Reports on the High Court 'case stated' appeal hearing before Judge Conor Dignam, where the Garda complainant's lawyers sought admission of the District Court transcript and Maher's counsel opposed it; Dignam reserved his ruling.
accused, Veronica Maher, female, named, irish (judged from name)Veronica Maher - 13 May2026Woman fights court order to destroy four XL Bully dogs
First reporting of the High Court 'case stated' appeal; Judge Conor Dignam reserved his ruling on the admission of the District Court transcript.
accused, Veronica Maher, female, named, irish (judged from name)Veronica Maher - 17 Dec2025Steakhouse murder victim’s XL pitbull to be destroyed after being allegedly set on gardaí
Circuit Civil Court ruling affirming the District Court order for the destruction of Odie, the XL pitbull, after four gardaí gave evidence of being attacked by the dog allegedly let out by Veronica Maher.
suspect, Veronica Maher, 54, female, named, irish (judged from name)Veronica Mahervictim, Jason Hennessy, male, irish (judged from name)Jason Hennessy - 11 Jun2025Widow of murder victim ordered to pay €11,000 for care of seized XL Bully dogs
Reports the costs order of €11,216 for nine weeks of dog care, details of the destruction order for all four dogs, the escape incident on 28 March, and Ms Maher's planned appeal and possible judicial review.
accused, Veronica Maher, 54, female, named, irish (judged from name)Veronica Maher