Saturday 31 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. 18655Dog attack on livestock · Co. Limerick · 25 Dec 2023

Sheep killed in dog attack on Galbally farm, death toll reaches 26

On Christmas Day 2023, dogs attacked a flock of sheep on a farm in Galbally, County Limerick, close to the Tipperary border. The farm's owner, John Ryan, found dead ewes scattered around the field, and reports in early January 2024 gave a death toll of about 20 ewe lambs, with more injured. The owner's wife later told the Limerick Leader the toll had reached 26 sheep. The dogs' owners have not been identified, and no offences had been disclosed by gardaí as of 4 January 2024. As of 12 January 2024, gardaí were investigating the attack.

  1. Reported3 Jan
    3 reports
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
When
The attack took place on Christmas Day 2023.
Where
The sheep were killed on a farm in Galbally, County Limerick, close to the Tipperary border.
What happened
  • Reports in early January 2024 gave a death toll of about 20 ewe lambs, with more badly injured.
  • A report on 12 January 2024 gave the death toll as 26 sheep.
  • The owner, John Ryan, found 16 dead ewes scattered around the field on Christmas Day.
Cause
Dogs of unknown number attacked the sheep.
Other details
  • The surviving sheep were very stressed after the attack and were not eating, and more were expected to die in the coming months.
  • Eddie Moriarty, Limerick IFA sheep chairman, called on dog owners to take responsibility for their pets.
Investigation
  • Gardaí said they were aware of the incident and that no offences had been disclosed as of early January 2024.
  • Gardaí were investigating the attack as of 12 January 2024.
22 statements extracted from the articles
  • what20 ewe lambs were killed by dogs and more were badly injured. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatAround 20 sheep suffered tortured deaths at a farm in County Limerick. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • whatEddie Moriarty said 20 ewe lambs were killed by dogs and more were badly injured. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • whatThe owner found 16 dead ewes scattered around the field. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatThe death toll reached 26 sheep. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whereThe attack happened at a farm in County Limerick. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whereGardaí said several sheep were killed in the Galbally area of County Limerick, close to the Tipperary border. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whereSeveral sheep were killed in the Galbally area of County Limerick, close to the Tipperary border. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • whereThe sheep were killed on a farm in Galbally. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenThe attack took place on Christmas Day. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenThe attack happened on Christmas Day. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • whenThe owner found the dead sheep on Christmas Day. (limerickleader.ie)
  • causeThe sheep were attacked by dogs. (longfordleader.ie, tipperarylive.ie)
  • causeThe sheep were attacked by dogs of unknown number. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí said no offences had been disclosed to date. (longfordleader.ie, tipperarylive.ie)
  • investigationGardaí said they were aware of the incident. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • investigationGardaí are investigating the attack. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherA witness saw the carcasses dotted around the field. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherMore sheep are expected to die in the coming months from the stress of the attack. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherMr Moriarty said more sheep would die in the coming months from the stress of the attack. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • otherMr Moriarty called on dog owners to take responsibility for their pets. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • otherThe sheep were very stressed after the dog attack. (limerickleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 11 Jan2024
    Reportedlimerickleader.ie, first report
    Sheep kill death toll from Limerick dog attack climbs to 26

    First report of the incident; the sheep owner says the death toll has reached 26 and gardaí are investigating.

    victim, irish (judged from name)
  2. 3 Jan2024
    Reportedtipperarylive.ie, follow-up
    Anger after 20 lambs are killed in 'savage' dog attack on Tipperary border

    Tipperary Live reports around 20 ewe lambs killed, with more badly injured. The farmer's IFA-linked neighbour and the IFA chairman comment on dog control rules and owner responsibility. Gardaí say no offences have been disclosed. Existing case gives a later toll of 26 sheep.

  3. 3 Jan2024
    Reportedlongfordleader.ie, follow-up
    Anger after 20 lambs are killed in 'savage' dog attack on Tipperary border

    Reports about 20 ewe lambs killed on Christmas Day, with more injured. Quotes Limerick IFA chairmen on dog control and on the suffering of the sheep. Gardaí say no offences have been disclosed to date.