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. 19375Animal cruelty · Co. Donegal · 16 Jan 2020

Letterkenny man jailed for animal cruelty over attack on foal

On January 16, 2020, gardaí attended a property on Canal Road, Letterkenny, County Donegal, where a piebald foal was found with an eight-inch wound after an attack by two lurcher dogs, and the foal was later put down. The suspect is Danny Connors, a 49-year-old man of Canal Road, who pleaded guilty to animal cruelty under the Animal Health and Welfare Act, 2013. He appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court, where he was sentenced to two years in prison with the final 12 months suspended, followed by 12 months' probation after release and a five-year ban on keeping or working with animals. The latest development, reported on October 24, 2023, is that Connors was jailed.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced24 Oct
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A piebald foal was found with an eight-inch wound after an attack by two lurcher dogs and had to be put down.
Where
The incident was at a property on Canal Road, Letterkenny, County Donegal.
When
Gardaí attended the property on January 16, 2020.
Cause
The foal was neglected by its owner, who had been drinking to celebrate its birth.
Other details
  • The two lurcher dogs were also put down following the incident.
  • The suspect is Danny Connors, a 49-year-old man of Canal Road, Letterkenny.
  • Connors has 35 previous convictions.
Investigation
Connors told officers he thought the foal had been given baby powder to stop the bleeding.
Charges
Connors pleaded guilty to animal cruelty under the Animal Health and Welfare Act, 2013.
In court
Connors appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court before Judge John Aylmer.
Sentence
  • The sentence was reduced to two years in prison, with the final 12 months suspended.
  • Connors was placed under probation supervision for 12 months after release.
  • Connors was banned from keeping or working with animals for five years.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA piebald foal had to be put down after being found with an eight-inch wound following an attack by two lurcher dogs. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereGardaí attended a property at Canal Road, Letterkenny. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenGardaí attended the property on January 16, 2020. (donegallive.ie)
  • causeThe foal was neglected by its owner, who had been drinking to celebrate its birth. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeConnors pleaded guilty to animal cruelty under the Animal Health and Welfare Act, 2013. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtConnors appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceThe sentence was reduced to two years in prison. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceThe final 12 months of the sentence were suspended. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceConnors was placed under probation supervision for 12 months after release. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceConnors was banned from keeping or working with animals for five years. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherConnors has 35 previous convictions. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherConnors told officers he thought the foal had been given baby powder to stop the bleeding. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 24 Oct2023
    Sentenceddonegallive.ie, first report
    Letterkenny man jailed for animal cruelty after days old foal attacked by dogs

    Reports the guilty plea, sentence, suspension, probation, and five-year ban on keeping or working with animals. The offence date is the date gardaí attended the property. This is a different case from the dangerous driving death in Limerick.

    convicted, Danny Connors, 49, male, named, irish (judged from name)Danny Connors