Ireland Case No. 6351Endangerment (dog attack) · Co. Wexford · 27 Nov 2022
Pair jailed for two years over dog attack in Wexford
An XL Bully dog attacked nine-year-old boy Alejandro Mizsan while he was playing on a green at the Forgelands estate in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, on 27 November 2022, tearing off his bottom lip and mauled his cheeks. Karen Miller, a woman aged 38, and Niall Byrne, a man aged 29, both of Forgelands, pleaded guilty to charges of endangerment relating to the attack and a separate attack on another child four days earlier, inhumane destruction of an animal, obstruction, and threatening to kill. On 8 March 2024, Judge James McCourt sentenced both 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 nine-year-old Alejandro Mizsan while he was playing on a green, tearing off his bottom lip, mauled his cheeks, and injured his body and legs.
- A separate attack on another child, Daniel Whelan, who suffered minor injuries, occurred four days earlier on 23 November 2022.
- Where
- The attack occurred at the Forgelands estate in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford.
- When
- The attack took place on 27 November 2022, though one report gives the date as 29 November 2022.
- Cause
- The dog, which was not on a lead, broke free to chase a smaller dog and attacked the boy 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, and 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.
- Sentence
- On 8 March 2024, Miller was sentenced to three years with 12 months suspended on each of two endangerment counts, and Byrne to three years for two threats counts and 20 months for inhumane destruction with 12 months' credit for time served, meaning both will serve two years.
- Other details
- Alejandro was airlifted to Crumlin Children's Hospital in Dublin and spent seven weeks in hospital before being discharged on 10 January 2023.
- A neighbour hit the dog with a baseball bat to force it to release the boy, and the dog was put down that evening.
- The attack prompted a government review of dog control laws, with proposals to double fines under the Control of Dogs Act from €2,500 to €5,000.
135 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA dog pounced on the nine-year-old as he played on the green (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe dog tore off his bottom lip and mauled each of his cheeks (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe boy's body and legs were also injured (irishmirror.ie)
- whatAlejandro Mizsan is a nine-year-old boy (irishmirror.ie)
- whatAlejandro was attacked by a pitbull in his housing estate (irishmirror.ie)
- whatAlejandro's bottom lip was torn off in the attack (irishmirror.ie)
- whatAlejandro's cheeks were mauled in the attack (irishmirror.ie)
- whatAlejandro sustained a number of injuries to his body and leg (irishmirror.ie)
- whatAlejandro's brother Raul is 21 years old (irishmirror.ie)
- whatAlejandro's mother is Otilia (irishmirror.ie)
- whatAlejandro's father is Ion Florin (irishmirror.ie)
- whatAlejandro has a younger sister named Estera (irishmirror.ie)
- 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 incident occurred in the estate where Alejandro lives in Enniscorthy, Wexford (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe family home is in Enniscorthy, Wexford. (dublinlive.ie)
- whereAlejandro is from Enniscorthy, County Wexford (irishmirror.ie)
- 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 dog attack occurred on 27 November. (dublinlive.ie)
- whenAlejandro was discharged from hospital on 10 January 2023 (irishmirror.ie)
- 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)
- otherAlejandro remains in Crumlin Children's Hospital in Dublin (irishmirror.ie)
- otherBega Barbers in Enniscorthy held a fundraiser for Alejandro on Wednesday (irishmirror.ie)
- otherAround €1,000 was raised from locals at the fundraiser (irishmirror.ie)
- otherOver €177,000 had been raised in a GoFundMe campaign for Alejandro (irishmirror.ie)
- otherAlejandro will have to undergo more surgeries abroad as he recovers (irishmirror.ie)
- otherAlejandro will also go to a psychologist (irishmirror.ie)
- otherAlejandro cried a lot when he saw himself for the first time after the attack (irishmirror.ie)
- otherAlejandro was discharged from Crumlin Children's Hospital after seven weeks. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherThe dog was later put down. (dublinlive.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- otherAlejandro was airlifted to Dublin for treatment. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherAlejandro will undergo further surgery for his bottom lip and scars once his wounds have healed. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherOver €178,000 has been raised in a GoFundMe for Alejandro. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherRaul recently got a tattoo in honour of his younger brother. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherAlejandro received a warm welcome home from friends and neighbours in Wexford (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThen-Taoiseach Michael Martin asked Minister Charlie McConalogue to lead a review on dog control (irishmirror.ie)
- otherA working group is being established to examine dog laws and enforcement (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe working group will examine fines under the Control of Dogs Act, local authority enforcement, dog wardens, microchipping, responsible ownership and dog licences (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 - 12 Jan2023Brave dog attack victim 'happy to be home' after spending Christmas in hospital
Reports Alejandro Mizsan's discharge from hospital on 10 January 2023, details of his injuries (bottom lip torn off, cheeks mauled, body and leg injuries), his family's homecoming in Wexford, and the government's announcement of a working group to review dog laws and enforcement.
victim, Alejandro Mizsan, 9, male, non-irish (judged from name)Alejandro Mizsan - 10 Jan2023Brave dog attack victim returns home as family says 'the nightmare is over'
Follow-up on the victim's recovery: Alejandro was discharged from Crumlin Children's Hospital after seven weeks and returned home to his family in Enniscorthy. The dog was later put down. Further surgery for his bottom lip and scars is planned. Over €178,000 has been raised via GoFundMe.
victim, Alejandro Mizsan, 9, male, non-irish (judged from name)Alejandro Mizsan - 6 Jan2023Alejandro Mizsan's family have 'no words' as they thank locals after fundraiser
Follow-up feature on the victim's recovery and a community fundraiser; confirms Alejandro remains in hospital, will need further surgeries abroad and a psychologist, and that over €177,000 has been raised for his recovery.
victim, Alejandro Mizsan, 9, male, non-irish (judged from name)Alejandro Mizsan