Ireland Offaly man sentenced to three months in prison over dog welfare offences
PJ Rigney of Little Island, Daingean, was accused of failing to adhere to a welfare notice issued on 23 February 2024 for yard and sheds at a premises on Circular Road, Daingean, contrary to the animal welfare act. The case was heard at Tullamore District Court, where Judge Andrew Cody imposed three months imprisonment and a fine of €3,690, and disqualified him from keeping dogs for life, as Offaly County Council had sought. Reports published on 29 May and 5 June 2025 covered the sentence, and counsel said the dogs had been removed by a third party and were no longer on the premises. The latest development reported is that Rigney lodged an appeal and was free to leave the court.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced29 May
2 reports
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- PJ Rigney was convicted under the animal welfare act and sentenced to three months imprisonment.
- Where
- The case was heard at Tullamore District Court.
- The welfare notice concerned yard and sheds to the rear of a premises at Circular Road, Daingean, and premises and lands associated with Little Island, Daingean.
- When
- The welfare notice was issued on 23 February 2024.
- Charges
- Rigney was accused of failing to adhere to the welfare notice, contrary to the animal welfare act.
- Sentence
- Judge Andrew Cody imposed three months imprisonment and a fine of €3,690.
- Rigney was disqualified from keeping dogs for the rest of his life, a disqualification Offaly County Council had sought.
- Other details
- Counsel said the dogs were no longer on the premises and had been removed by a third party.
- Counsel said Mr Rigney had rental properties but was in debt.
- Sources give conflicting ages for Rigney: a photo caption gives 19, while counsel's description implies he is over 60.
- Rigney lodged an appeal against the sentence and was free to leave the court.
19 statements extracted from the articles
- whatRigney was convicted under the animal welfare act and sentenced to three months imprisonment. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatA man was convicted under the animal welfare act and sentenced to three months imprisonment. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whereThe case was heard at Tullamore District Court. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whereThe welfare notice concerned yard and sheds at a premises on Circular Road, Daingean. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whereThe premises concerned were at Circular Road, Daingean. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe welfare notice was issued on 23 February 2024. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeRigney was accused of failing to adhere to a welfare notice. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargePJ Rigney was accused of failing to adhere to a welfare notice issued on 23 February 2024. (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceThe judge imposed three months in prison and a fine of €3,690. (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceRigney was disqualified from keeping dogs for the rest of his life. (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceJudge Andrew Cody imposed three months in prison and a fine of €3,690. (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceHe was disqualified from keeping dogs for the rest of his life. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherCounsel said the dogs were no longer on the premises and had been removed by a third party. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherOffaly County Council sought a disqualification from owning dogs. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherRigney later lodged an appeal and was free to leave the court. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe dogs were no longer on the premises and had been removed by a third party, according to counsel. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherCounsel said Mr Rigney had rental properties but was in debt. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherOffaly County Council sought to have Mr Rigney disqualified from owning dogs. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherMr Rigney later lodged an appeal and was free to leave the court. (offalyexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 5 Jun2025Offaly man sentenced to three months in prison in dog welfare case
Reports the sentencing of PJ Rigney for failing to comply with a welfare notice issued on 23 February 2024 relating to premises in Daingean. The article's age figures conflict: a photo caption gives 19, while counsel's description implies he is over 60, so no age is recorded.
convicted, PJ Rigney, male, named, irish (judged from name)PJ Rigney - 29 May2025Offaly man sentenced in dog welfare case
Adds that the welfare notice was issued on 23 February 2024 for premises at Circular Road, Daingean, that the dogs were removed by a third party, that Offaly County Council sought the disqualification, and that Mr Rigney lodged an appeal.
convicted, PJ Rigney, male, named, irish (judged from name)PJ Rigney