Saturday 31 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. 21247Failing to keep dog under control (Control of Dogs Act) · Co. Clare · 18 Mar 2022

Judge orders dog Rocco back to training after attack on jogger in Clare

A dog named Rocco, a Shepherd, attacked a man aged 29 who was jogging on a footpath on Ballycar Road, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Co Clare, on March 18th 2022, leaving him with visible injuries to his thigh. A relative of Ellen Ward (64) of Ballycar Road had Rocco on a telescopic lead while they were getting the dog out of a car. Ms Ward pleaded guilty at Ennis District Court to not having Rocco under her control, contrary to Sections 9 and 27 of the Control of Dogs Act, and Judge Mary Larkin ordered Rocco sent for training. The case was reported on May 4th 2023, when the judge said she would adjourn it for a further year so Rocco could get more training.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted4 May
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A dog named Rocco, a Shepherd, attacked a man aged 29 who was jogging.
Where
The jogger was on a footpath on Ballycar Road, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Co Clare.
When
The attack happened on March 18th 2022.
Other details
  • The jogger was warming up for a fun run when he was attacked.
  • The dog left the jogger with visible injuries to his thigh.
  • A training report said Rocco had been lunging at trainers and had to wear a muzzle.
Cause
A relative of Ms Ward had Rocco on a telescopic lead while they were getting the dog out of a car.
Charges
Ellen Ward (64) of Ballycar Road pleaded guilty to not having Rocco under her control on the day, contrary to Sections 9 and 27 of the Control of Dogs Act.
In court
Judge Mary Larkin made the order regarding Rocco at Ennis District Court.
Sentence
  • Following the guilty plea, Rocco was sent for training to curb the behaviour that led to the incident.
  • Judge Larkin said she would adjourn the case for a further year to allow Rocco to get more training.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA dog named Rocco, a Belgian Shepherd, attacked a man aged 29 who was jogging. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe jogger was on a footpath on Ballycar Road, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Co Clare. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe attack happened on March 18th 2022. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeEllen Ward pleaded guilty to not having Rocco under her control on the day, contrary to Sections 9 and 27 of the Control of Dogs Act. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge Mary Larkin made the order regarding Rocco at Ennis District Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceRocco was sent for training to curb the behaviour that led to the incident. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceJudge Larkin said she would adjourn the case for a further year to allow Rocco to get more training. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe dog left the jogger with visible injuries to his thigh. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherA relative of Ms Ward had Rocco on a telescopic lead while getting the dog out of a car. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherRocco had been lunging at trainers and had to wear a muzzle, according to a training report. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 4 May2023
    Convictedirishtimes.com, first report
    Judge orders Belgian Shepherd back to ‘doggie school’ over attack on jogger

    First report of this case: guilty plea by Ellen Ward, dog sent for training, and case adjourned for a year. No earlier case in the list matches.

    victim, 29, maleconvicted, Ellen Ward, 64, female, named, irish (judged from name)Ellen Ward