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. 0698Breach of the Control of Dogs Act · Co. Dublin · 28 Jun 2025

Judge orders destruction of Belgian Malinois dog that bit garda's face during Dublin drug search

A Malinois dog lunged over a gate and bit garda Gary Tuohy's face during a Coolock drug unit operation in Dublin on 28 June 2025, and the garda suffered a broken finger while trying to pull away. Adam Caulfield, 27, of Darndale, was charged with two counts of breaching the Control of Dogs Act and was convicted of one count on 27 April 2026 before Judge John Hughes at Dublin District Court. He was fined €1,000, given a two-month sentence with the final month suspended, and the judge ordered the destruction of the dog with a 21-day stay on the order. Caulfield was released on bail pending an appeal to be heard in September.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted2 Jul
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A Malinois dog lunged over a gate and bit garda Gary Tuohy's face during a Coolock drug unit operation, and the garda suffered a broken finger while trying to pull away.
Where
The incident occurred in Coolock, Dublin.
When
The dog bite took place on 28 June 2025.
Investigation
A second garda witnessed the incident and CCTV captured the moment the dog lunged and bit the officer.
Charges
Adam Caulfield, 27, of Primrose Grove, Darndale, was charged with two counts of breaching the Control of Dogs Act.
In court
  • Caulfield was convicted on 27 April 2026 of one charge following a contested hearing before Judge John Hughes at Dublin District Court.
  • The judge ordered the destruction of the Belgian Malinois dog and placed a 21-day stay on the order.
  • Caulfield was released on bail pending an appeal to be heard in September and has 14 days to lodge the appeal.
Sentence
Caulfield was fined €1,000 and given a two-month sentence with the final month suspended.
Other details
  • Caulfield was not suspected of involvement in the drug operation, lived with his mother, had been affected by bereavements of close family members and friends, and the dog was a source of comfort to him.
  • Caulfield had seven prior convictions for drug dealing and traffic offences and received a two-year suspended sentence in the Circuit Court in 2022.
  • A second dog attack on an elderly woman in April 2024 was also considered, for which Caulfield was acquitted.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatAdam Caulfield, 27, of Primrose Grove, Darndale, pleaded not guilty to two counts of breaching the Control of Dogs Act on dates in 2025. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatGarda Gary Tuohy was part of a Coolock drug unit operation on 28 June 2025. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe garda suffered a broken finger as he tried to pull away from the dog. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationA second garda witnessed the incident and CCTV captured the moment the dog lunged and bit the officer. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtCaulfield was convicted on 27 April of one charge following a contested hearing before Judge John Hughes at Dublin District Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtCaulfield was released after lodging bail, pending an appeal to be heard in September. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge placed a 21-day stay on the destruction order, and Caulfield has 14 days to appeal. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceCaulfield was fined €1,000 and given a two-month sentence with the final month suspended. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe judge considered other measures such as training, muzzles and leashes but concluded destruction was appropriate. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherCaulfield was not suspected of being involved in the earlier drug operation. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherCaulfield lived with his mother, had been affected by bereavements of close family members and friends, and the dog was a source of comfort to him. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherCaulfield had seven prior convictions for drug dealing and traffic offences and received a two-year suspended sentence in the Circuit Court in 2022. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 2 Jul2026
    Convictedirishtimes.com, first report
    Judge orders destruction of Belgian Malinois dog that ‘savaged’ garda’s face during drug search

    Reports the conviction and sentencing of Adam Caulfield for breaching the Control of Dogs Act, and the subsequent destruction order for his Belgian Malinois dog, including evidence of a second dog attack on an elderly woman in April 2024 for which he was acquitted.

    convicted, Adam Caulfield, 27, male, named, irish (judged from name)Adam Caulfieldvictim, Gary Tuohy, male, irish (judged from name)Gary Tuohyvictim, female