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. 5845Animal cruelty; assault causing harm; possession of a sharply pointed knife · Co. Clare

Man pleads guilty to animal cruelty and assault on mother in Ennis

On July 11th last, Jason Burke stabbed his mother's 10-year-old pug, Benson, seven times in the neck and back in Ennis, County Clare, and his mother had bruising and swelling to her face. Gardaí recovered a 25cm knife and a 7cm flick knife from his bag, and Benson had to be euthanised. Burke pleaded guilty at Ennis Circuit Court to animal cruelty, assault causing harm to his mother, and possession of a sharply pointed knife. The judge remanded him in custody for sentencing in July, and a psychiatric report for the plea of mitigation was not yet ready.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted17 May
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Jason Burke pleaded guilty to an animal cruelty charge over the stabbing of his mother's pug, Benson.
  • Burke also pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to his mother on the same date.
When
The incident happened on July 11th last.
Where
The incident took place in Ennis, County Clare.
Cause
  • The mother said that earlier that day her son had grabbed her by the hair and arms and thrown her around, and that after Benson barked he threw the dog over the banister.
  • The mother said her son told her he was going to kill the dog.
Weapon
Burke stabbed the 10-year-old dog Benson seven times in the neck and back.
Other details
  • Benson had to be euthanised after the knife attack.
  • The mother had bruising and swelling to her face.
  • Burke has 11 previous convictions and a history of mental illness.
Investigation
Gardaí recovered a 25cm knife and a 7cm flick knife from Burke's bag, and Garda Conor Langan gave evidence to the court.
Charges
Burke pleaded guilty to possession of a sharply pointed knife.
In court
The case was heard at Ennis Circuit Court.
Sentence
The judge remanded Burke in custody for sentencing in July, and a psychiatric report for the plea of mitigation was not yet ready.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man pleaded guilty to an animal cruelty charge over the stabbing of his mother's pug. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe man also pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to his mother. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe 10-year-old dog Benson had to be euthanised after the knife attack. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe incident happened on July 11th last. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeThe mother said her son told her he was going to kill the dog. (irishtimes.com)
  • weaponThe man stabbed the dog seven times in the neck and back. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí recovered a 25cm knife and a 7cm flick knife from the man's bag. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe man pleaded guilty to having a sharply pointed knife in his possession. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe case was heard at Ennis Circuit Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge remanded the man in custody for sentencing in July. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe mother had bruising and swelling to her face. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe man has 11 previous convictions and a history of mental illness. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherA psychiatric report for the plea of mitigation was not yet ready. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 17 May2024
    Convictedirishtimes.com, first report
    Man pleads guilty after attacking his mother and repeatedly stabbing her pet pug in Co Clare

    First report of the case: the guilty pleas at Ennis Circuit Court, the details of the knife attack on the dog and the mother, and the remand for sentencing in July.

    convicted, Jason Burke, male, named, irish (judged from name)Jason Burkevictim, female