Ireland Case No. 6351Endangerment (dog attack) · Co. Wexford · 27 Nov 2022
Man and woman jailed for endangerment over dog attack in Wexford
On 27 November 2022, an XL Bully dog attacked nine-year-old Alejandro Mizsan, a boy, while he was playing on a green at the Forgelands estate in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, causing serious facial injuries; a separate attack on ten-year-old Daniel Whelan, a boy, occurred four days earlier. The dog, belonging to Karen Miller, 38, a woman, broke free from its leash and mauled the boy, who was airlifted to Crumlin Children's Hospital in Dublin. Miller pleaded guilty to two charges of endangerment and one count of obstruction, while Niall Byrne, 29, a man, pleaded guilty to inhumane destruction of an animal and two counts of threatening to kill. On 8 March 2024, both were sentenced to two years in prison at Wexford Circuit Criminal Court.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court24 May
4 reports - Convicted28 Nov
- Sentenced8 Mar
3 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- An XL Bully dog attacked a boy while he was playing on a green, tearing his lower lip, mauled both cheeks and injuring his body and legs.
- Where
- The attack took place at the Forgelands estate in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford.
- When
- The attack on Alejandro Mizsan happened on 27 November 2022 (one report gives 29 November 2022), with a separate attack on another child on 23 November 2022.
- Cause
- The dog broke free from its leash to chase a smaller dog and attacked the children instead.
- Investigation
- The dog was not microchipped or registered, and Karen Miller had no dog licence.
- Charges
- Karen Miller pleaded guilty to two charges of endangerment and one count of obstruction; Niall Byrne pleaded guilty to inhumane destruction of an animal and two counts of threatening to kill.
- In court
- The defendants appeared before Judge James McCourt at Wexford Circuit Criminal Court, with Byrne remanded in continuing custody and Miller on bail until sentencing.
- Sentence
- On 8 March 2024, both Miller and Byrne were sentenced to two years in prison.
- Other details
- The boy was airlifted by Irish Coastguard helicopter to Crumlin Children's Hospital in Dublin and spent seven weeks there for treatment and surgeries.
- A neighbour armed with a baseball bat hit the dog and forced it to release the boy.
- The dog was put down that evening.
102 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA young boy survived a pitbull attack nearly five months earlier. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe dog ripped off the boy's bottom lip, mauled both cheeks and injured his body and legs. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA dog attack left a nine-year-old boy with serious facial injuries. (rte.ie)
- whatThe attack seriously injured a 9-year-old boy. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe boy was airlifted to Crumlin Childrens Hospital in Dublin for treatment. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe boy spent weeks in hospital and will need ongoing treatment. (irishtimes.com)
- whatA dog attack left a 9-year-old boy with serious facial injuries. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe boy was airlifted to Crumlin Children's Hospital in Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA boy was attacked by an XL Bully dog while playing outside his home. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe boy suffered horrific injuries and spent weeks in hospital in Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA man and a woman were jailed after a dog attack in Co Wexford that seriously injured a nine-year-old boy. (rte.ie)
- whatAlejandro Mizsan suffered serious injuries to his face, body and legs in the attack. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatAlejandro Mizsan was savaged by an XL Bully dog. (irishtimes.com)
- whatDaniel Whelan suffered only minor injuries in an attack four days earlier. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe boy was mauled in his housing estate in Enniscorthy. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe attack happened on the green of the estate where the boy's family lives in Enniscorthy, Wexford. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe attack happened in the Old Forge area of Enniscorthy, Co Wexford. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe boy was playing outside his home in Enniscorthy when he was attacked. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe attack happened at the Forgelands estate in Enniscorthy. (rte.ie)
- whereThe attack on Alejandro Mizsan happened on a green area of an estate. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe attack happened in a green area at the Forgelands Estate in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe attack happened on November 27. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe incident happened on 27 November 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenA separate attack on another child took place four days earlier, on 23 November 2022. (rte.ie)
- whenThe attack took place last November. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenA separate attack on another child happened four days before the main attack, on November 23, 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe attack happened on 27 November 2022. (rte.ie)
- whenThe attack on Alejandro Mizsan happened on 29 November 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe attack happened on November 27th, 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- causeA pitbull that was not on a lead and roaming freely attacked the boy. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeThe charges relate to a pit bull attack on Alejandro Mizsan. (rte.ie)
- causeThe boy was attacked by an XL Bully dog while playing outside his home. (irishtimes.com)
- causeThe boy was attacked by an XL Bully dog. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeThe boy was attacked by an XL Bully dog while playing on a green with friends. (rte.ie)
- causeThe dog broke free from a leash to chase a smaller dog and attacked the boys instead. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe dog was not microchipped or registered, and Miller had no dog licence. (rte.ie)
- chargeNiall Byrne is accused of the inhumane destruction of an animal under section 23 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeNiall Byrne faces two counts of threatening to kill unnamed persons following the incident. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeKaren Miller, who is on bail, is charged with inhumane destruction of an animal and one count of obstruction under section 46 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeKaren Miller is accused of two counts of endangerment. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeKaren Miller is charged with non-indictable offences of having no dog licence, not having proper control of a dog, and non-compliance with microchipping the dog. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeMiller pleaded guilty to two charges of endangerment. (rte.ie)
- chargeByrne pleaded guilty to inhumane destruction of an animal. (rte.ie, irishtimes.com)
- chargeByrne is also charged with two offences of making threats to kill. (rte.ie, irishtimes.com)
- chargeMiller pleaded guilty to two charges of endangerment over the attack on the boy and a separate attack on another child. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeKaren Miller pleaded guilty to two charges of endangerment. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeMiller's guilty pleas also relate to a separate attack on another child. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeNiall Byrne pleaded guilty to inhumane destruction of an animal. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeNiall Byrne is also charged with two offences of making threats to kill. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeKaren Miller pleaded guilty to two charges of endangerment, one relating to the attack and one to a separate attack four days earlier. (rte.ie)
- chargeKaren Miller also pleaded guilty to one count of obstruction. (rte.ie)
- chargeNiall Byrne pleaded guilty to the inhumane destruction of an animal. (rte.ie)
- chargeNiall Byrne pleaded guilty to two counts of threatening to kill or cause serious harm. (rte.ie)
- chargeMiller pleaded guilty to two charges of endangerment relating to the pitbull attack and a separate attack on another child four days earlier. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeByrne pleaded guilty to inhumane destruction of an animal and is also charged with two offences of making threats to kill. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtNiall Byrne and Karen Miller are both due before Wexford Circuit Court in the coming October. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe matter is listed for trial. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe defendants appeared before Wexford Circuit Court. (rte.ie)
- courtJudge Cormac Quinn remanded Byrne in continuing custody and Miller on bail until 11 January 2024 for sentencing. (rte.ie)
- courtThe defendants appeared before Judge James McCourt at Wexford Circuit Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- courtProbation reports were ready for both defendants. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- courtByrne was remanded in continuing custody and Miller was granted bail until the sentencing date. (irishtimes.com)
- courtByrne was remanded in continuing custody and Miller on bail until sentencing. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtJudge James McCourt heard the case at Wexford Circuit Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- courtNiall Byrne was remanded in continuing custody. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtKaren Miller was remanded on bail. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe judge said there had to be an element of deterrence in the sentences. (rte.ie)
- courtThe sentencing took place at Wexford Circuit Criminal Court before Judge James McCourt. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceSentencing is set for January 2024. (rte.ie)
- sentenceSentencing is set for February 1. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceSentencing is due on February 1. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceSentencing was adjourned to February 13. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceMiller was sentenced to three years in prison for each endangerment count, with the final 12 months of each suspended. (rte.ie)
- sentenceByrne was sentenced to three years for each threats count and 20 months for the inhumane destruction of the dog. (rte.ie)
- sentenceByrne received 12 months' credit for time already served in custody. (rte.ie)
- sentenceMiller and Byrne will each serve two years in jail. (rte.ie)
- sentenceKaren Miller and Niall Byrne were each jailed for two years. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceMiller was sentenced to three years in prison with the final 12 months suspended. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceByrne was sentenced to three years in prison, with credit for 12 months already spent in custody. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceMiller was sentenced to three years in jail with one year suspended on two counts of endangerment. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceNiall Byrne was sentenced to three years for threats to kill two people in the wake of the attack. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe dog was later put down. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe boy suffered life-changing injuries. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe boy spent seven weeks in Crumlin Children's Hospital for treatment and surgeries. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe boy returned to school for the first time after the attack. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe boy is due to have more surgery this summer. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherPublic donations raised money for the boy's treatment. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherGovernment proposals would double dog-control fines and hire more dog wardens. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe dog was killed that evening. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe boy was airlifted to Crumlin Children's Hospital in Dublin and spent seven weeks there. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe attack prompted a fresh government review of rules on dogs, and proposals would double fines under the Control of Dogs Act from €2,500 to €5,000. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherKaren Miller has an address in Forgelands, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford. (rte.ie)
- otherThe sentencing hearing was expected to last one to one and a half hours. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe boy has since returned to school. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe boy will need intensive ongoing treatment. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe boy suffered serious facial injuries and was airlifted to Children's Health Ireland Crumlin. (rte.ie)
- otherThe boy's cheeks were torn on both sides and he lost a substantial portion of his lower lip. (rte.ie)
- otherA GoFundMe account set up for the family has raised over €100,000. (rte.ie)
- otherAlejandro Mizsan was airlifted to Crumlin Hospital in Dublin by the Coast Guards. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherAlejandro was airlifted by Irish Coastguard helicopter Rescue 117 to Crumlin children's hospital. (irishtimes.com)
- otherA neighbour armed with a baseball bat hit the dog and forced it to release the boy. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe family's victim impact statement described Alejandro's physical and mental injuries. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 8 Mar2024‘He is not the same kid he was before’: Family of boy injured in dog attack says jailing is some ‘justice’
Reports the sentencing at Wexford Circuit Criminal Court, the family's victim impact statement and their call for a ban on XL Bully dogs. It also reports a sentence for Niall Byrne for threats to kill.
convicted, Karen Miller, 38, female, named, irish (judged from name)Karen Millerconvicted, Niall Byrne, 29, male, named, irish (judged from name)Niall Byrnevictim, Alejandro Mizsan, 10, maleAlejandro Mizsanvictim, Daniel Whelan, 10, irish (judged from name)Daniel Whelan - 8 Mar2024Watch: Man and woman jailed over pitbull attack on brave Alejandro Mizsan
Reports the sentencing at Wexford Circuit Criminal Court. The article gives the pitbull attack on Alejandro Mizsan as 29 November 2022 and the separate attack on another child as 23 November 2022.
victim, Alejandro Mizsan, 9, male, non-irish (judged from name)Alejandro Mizsanvictimconvicted, Karen Miller, 38, female, named, irish (judged from name)Karen Millerconvicted, Niall Byrne, 26, male, named, irish (judged from name)Niall Byrne - 8 Mar2024Pair jailed for two years over dog attack on boy
Reports the Wexford Circuit Court sentencing: each of Miller and Byrne will serve two years. Adds the guilty pleas, the sentence terms, the second attack on 23 November 2022, the boy's injuries and the court's remarks. Gives Byrne's age as 29.
victim, Alejandro Mizsan, 9, maleAlejandro Mizsanconvicted, Karen Miller, 38, female, named, irish (judged from name)Karen Millerconvicted, Niall Byrne, 29, male, named, irish (judged from name)Niall Byrne - 2 Feb2024Man and woman charged in connection with dog attack given sentencing date
Both defendants have pleaded guilty to some charges and sentencing is set for February 13. The article adds the injuries to the boy, his hospital treatment and the date of the sentencing hearing.
accused, Karen Miller, named, irish (judged from name)Karen Milleraccused, Niall Byrne, named, irish (judged from name)Niall Byrnevictim, Alejandro Mizsan, 9, male, non-irish (judged from name)Alejandro Mizsanvictim - 11 Jan2024Man and woman charged over dog attack on brave Alejandro Mizsan to be sentenced
Court appearance before sentencing on February 1. Miller has pleaded guilty to two endangerment charges and Byrne to inhumane destruction of an animal. Probation reports are ready. No sentence has been imposed yet.
victim, Alejandro Mizsan, 9, maleAlejandro Mizsanconvicted, Karen Miller, named, irish (judged from name)Karen Millerconvicted, Niall Byrne, named, irish (judged from name)Niall Byrne - 11 Jan2024Man and woman to be sentenced in relation to dog attack which left boy (10) with serious facial injuries
Covers the court appearance at Wexford Circuit Criminal Court, where the sentencing date was set and the defendants' remand status was confirmed. Adds the guilty pleas, the charges, and the boy's injuries and treatment.
victim, Alejandro Mizsan, 9, male, non-irish (judged from name)Alejandro Mizsanvictimaccused, Karen Miller, named, irish (judged from name)Karen Milleraccused, Niall Byrne, named, irish (judged from name)Niall Byrne - 28 Nov2023Two charged over dog attack to be sentenced in January
Both defendants pleaded guilty at Wexford Circuit Court: Miller to two endangerment charges and Bryne to inhumane destruction of an animal, with Bryne also charged with two threats-to-kill offences. Judge Cormac Quinn remanded Bryne in custody and Miller on bail until 11 January 2024 for sentencing.
victim, Alejandro Mizsan, 9, maleAlejandro Mizsanvictimconvicted, Karen Miller, female, named, irish (judged from name)Karen Millerconvicted, Niall Bryne, male, named, irish (judged from name)Niall Bryne - 24 May2023Couple to stand trial on charges over Wexford dog attack on young boy
Reports that Niall Byrne and Karen Miller are listed for trial before Wexford Circuit Court in October, sets out the charges against each, and describes the attack on the boy and the dog's fate.
victim, Alejandro Mizsan, 9, male, non-irish (judged from name)Alejandro Mizsanaccused, Niall Byrne, 27, male, named, irish (judged from name)Niall Byrneaccused, Karen Miller, 37, female, named, irish (judged from name)Karen Miller - 18 Apr2023Brave dog attack boy 'so happy' to be back at school
Follow-up on the recovery of the victim. Reports his return to school, that he has been home since early January, and that more surgery is planned for summer. Notes government proposals to double dog-control fines and hire dog wardens. No new arrest, charge or court step is reported, and the dog's owner is not named.
victim, Alejandro Mizsan, 10, male, non-irish (judged from name)Alejandro Mizsan