Ireland Laois publican fined over dog attack that injured woman
On 22 July 2022, a dog at Downey's Bar on Main Street in Clonaslee, Co Laois, bit a woman. The bar is run by publican Colm Downey, 37. The woman needed 30 stitches, was kept in St James's Hospital in Dublin for six nights and was off work for four and a half months. Downey pleaded guilty at an early opportunity to having an uncontrolled unmuzzled dog, and the case was adjourned for a victim impact statement. At sentencing, reported on 20 October 2023, he was fined €500 and given a three-month sentence suspended for two years, and the judge ordered his €5,000 payment to the injured party.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced20 Oct
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Colm Downey, 37, admitted having an uncontrolled unmuzzled dog at his bar.
- A woman was bitten by the dog and needed 30 stitches, and later further stitches to her eye.
- The woman was kept in St James's Hospital in Dublin for six nights.
- Other details
- The woman was off work for four and a half months and has nerve damage and numbness in areas of her face.
- The judge said he would not restrict Downey from owning a dog.
- Where
- The incident took place at Downey's Bar on Main Street in Clonaslee, Co Laois.
- When
- The incident happened on 22 July 2022.
- Cause
- The dog followed Downey back into the pub after he went to the storeroom.
- Investigation
- The injured woman did not attend court, and Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby read her statement.
- In court
- Downey pleaded guilty at an early opportunity, and the case was adjourned so a victim impact statement could be compiled.
- Downey had insurance and brought €5,000 to court.
- Sentence
- Downey was fined €500.
- Downey was given a three-month sentence, suspended for two years.
- The judge ordered the €5,000 to be paid to the injured party.
16 statements extracted from the articles
- whatColm Downey admitted having an uncontrolled unmuzzled dog at his bar. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatA woman was bitten by the dog and needed 30 stitches. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatThe woman was kept in St James's Hospital in Dublin for six nights. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatThe woman was off work for four and a half months. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatThe woman has nerve damage and numbness in areas of her face. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whereThe bar is Downey's Bar on Main Street in Clonaslee. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenThe incident happened on July 22 of the previous year. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- causeThe dog followed Downey back into the pub after he went to the storeroom. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationThe injured woman did not attend court and her statement was read by a garda sergeant. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe case was adjourned so a victim impact statement could be compiled. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtDowney had insurance and brought €5,000 to court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtDowney pleaded guilty at an early opportunity. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceDowney was fined €500. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceDowney was given a three-month sentence, suspended for two years. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceThe judge ordered the €5,000 to be given to the injured party. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe judge said he would not restrict Downey from owning a dog. (leinsterexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 20 Oct2023Woman felt her face was ‘destroyed’ in attack by Laois publican’s dog
Reports the sentencing of Colm Downey at court, with details of the victim's injuries, recovery and the €5,000 payment. Earlier stages of the case are mentioned only briefly.
victim, femaleconvicted, Colm Downey, 37, male, named, irish (judged from name)Colm Downey