Friday 30 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. 16034Animal welfare offences (Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013) · Co. Tipperary · 14 Jun 2023

Mullinahone woman convicted over neglect of elderly dog

On 14 June 2023 an ISPCA visit to a home at Blackthorn Walk, Mullinahone, Co Tipperary, found a 14-year-old male Yorkshire Terrier in a disorientated state with a large open facial cavity, live maggots, blindness in one eye and ear infections, and the dog was later euthanised on veterinary advice. Helen Dunne (46), of Blackthorn Walk, was charged with four offences under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. At Clonmel District Court on 3 September 2024 she entered a guilty plea and was convicted, receiving a three-month prison term suspended for 12 months, a €500 fine, and a lifetime ban on having a dog.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced19 Sep
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • ISPCA Senior Inspector Alice Lacey found a male Yorkshire Terrier in a small yard, in a disorientated state.
  • The dog had a large open cavity on the right side of its face, and live maggots were seen moving in its eye socket.
  • The dog was blind in its left eye and had a chronic infection in both ears.
Other details
  • The dog was 14 years old.
  • Helen Dunne (46), a woman with an address at Blackthorn Walk, Mullinahone, is the accused.
Cause
The dog was humanely euthanised on veterinary advice.
Where
The ISPCA visit was to the accused's address at Blackthorn Walk, Mullinahone, Co Tipperary.
When
The ISPCA visit took place on 14 June 2023, in response to a report.
Investigation
  • Dunne claimed someone had attacked the dog and that she had sought veterinary treatment about six months earlier, but enquiries found no record of that treatment.
  • The judge did not believe Dunne had consulted a vet and described the neglect as appalling.
Charges
Dunne was charged with four offences under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.
In court
At Clonmel District Court on 3 September 2024, before Judge Cephas Power, Dunne entered a guilty plea.
Sentence
  • Dunne was convicted, given a three-month prison term suspended for 12 months, and fined €500.
  • Dunne was disqualified from having a dog for life.
16 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatInspector Lacey found a male Yorkshire Terrier in a small yard, in a disorientated state. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • whatThe dog had a large open cavity on the right side of its face. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • whatLive maggots were seen moving in the dog's eye socket. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • whatThe dog was blind in its left eye and had a chronic infection in both ears. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • whatThe dog was humanely euthanised on veterinary advice. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • whereThe accused's address is at Blackthorn Walk, Mullinahone. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • whenThe ISPCA visit to the accused's address was on 14 June 2023. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • investigationISPCA Senior Inspector Alice Lacey gave evidence in court. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • investigationEnquiries found no record of the claimed veterinary treatment. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • chargeDunne appeared at Clonmel District Court on 3 September 2024 charged with four offences under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • courtA guilty plea was entered. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • sentenceDunne was convicted, given a three-month prison term suspended for 12 months, and fined €500. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • sentenceDunne was disqualified from having a dog for life. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • otherThe dog was 14 years old. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • otherDunne claimed someone had attacked the dog and that she had sought veterinary treatment about six months earlier. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • otherThe judge did not believe Dunne had consulted a vet and described the neglect as appalling. (tipperarylive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 19 Sep2024
    Sentencedtipperarylive.ie, first report
    'Live maggots seen moving around,' Tipperary woman convicted as dog euthanised

    Court report on the conviction and sentence. Details the condition of the dog found on an ISPCA visit: a facial wound, live maggots, blindness in one eye and an ear infection. The dog was euthanised on veterinary advice.

    convicted, Helen Dunne, 46, female, named, irish (judged from name)Helen Dunne