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. 3683Animal welfare (causing unnecessary suffering, neglect) · Co. Cork · 15 May 2024

Man convicted on dog neglect charges must pay more than €15,000 in fines and costs

Pat O'Neill, in his 50s, of Newmarket, Co Cork, pleaded guilty to 15 breaches of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 for causing unnecessary suffering to seven dogs kept in a filthy shed at his property. He was convicted and disqualified from keeping dogs for 10 years, with a total bill of €15,809 in fines and costs.

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

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatPat O'Neill pleaded guilty to 15 breaches of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe dogs had matted coats and were encrusted with faeces in a shed whose floor was covered in faeces. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThere was only one bowl of water in the shed and one collie pup was drinking effluent. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe dogs found included an adult collie, a juvenile collie, four collie pups and an adult terrier. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatNone of the dogs were emaciated but all were underweight, and the pups were feral showing fear and aggression. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe adult collie had to be shaved and it took several months to rehabilitate the four pups through socialisation at a cost of €10,766. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe neglect was observed at Gooseberry Hill on 15 May 2024. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeO'Neill was prosecuted by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe adult collie got pregnant when she got out of the shed one evening. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 2 Mar2026
    Convictedirishtimes.com, first report
    Man convicted on dog neglect charges must pay more than €15,000 in fines and costs

    Details of the conviction at Mallow District Court, the conditions found at the property, the sentencing including a 10-year disqualification from keeping dogs, and the total financial penalty of €15,809.

    convicted, 50s, male, irish (judged from name)