Ireland Vet and pound supervisor fined over unlawful euthanasia drug use at Ashton Dog Pound
Over the weekend of 24 July 2020, Dolethal, a vet-only euthanasia medicine permitted only for intravenous use, was given orally to two dogs at Ashton Dog Pound in County Dublin, and both dogs later died. Gardaí went to the pound the following week and found the unlawful use. Veterinary surgeon Sydney Nagle, 65, pleaded guilty to charges including causing or permitting someone other than a vet to have the medicine, and pound supervisor Raymond Connolly, 56, pleaded guilty to charges relating to possessing it and causing or permitting a lay person to administer it to the dogs. On 1 August 2024, at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Nagle was fined €12,500 and Connolly was fined €400, each given six months to pay, which is the latest development in a series of prosecutions over the events.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced1 Aug
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Sydney Nagle, a 65-year-old Dublin veterinary surgeon, was fined €12,500, and Raymond Connolly, a 56-year-old pound supervisor, was fined €400.
- Where
- The events took place at Ashton Dog Pound in County Dublin.
- When
- The events occurred over the weekend of 24 July 2020.
- Cause
- Dolethal, which is only permitted to be given intravenously, was given orally to two dogs at the pound.
- Other details
- One dog died and the other was humanely euthanised some days later.
- The sentencing, reported on 1 August 2024, is described as the latest in a series of prosecutions over the Ashton Dog Pound events of July 2020.
- Investigation
- Gardaí went to the pound the following week and discovered the unlawful use of the vet-only medicine.
- Charges
- Nagle pleaded guilty to two counts of causing or permitting someone other than a vet to have the medicine in his possession and control.
- Nagle also admitted four counts relating to his failure to keep records of the medicine.
- Connolly pleaded guilty to two counts relating to possessing the vet-only medicine and causing or permitting a lay person to administer it to the two dogs.
- In court
- The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where the judge said Nagle was a fine vet with no previous convictions.
- The judge said Nagle was likely to face consequences from an ongoing fitness-to-practice inquiry.
- Sentence
- Nagle was given six months to pay the €12,500 fine, and Connolly was given six months to pay the €400 fine.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA Dublin veterinary surgeon was fined €12,500 and a pound supervisor was fined €400. (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe events took place at Ashton Dog Pound. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe events occurred over the weekend of 24 July 2020. (thejournal.ie)
- causeDolethal was given orally to two dogs, which later died. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationGardaí went to the pound the following week and discovered the unlawful use of the animal-only remedy. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeNagle pleaded guilty to two counts of causing or permitting someone other than a vet to have the medicine in his possession and control. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeNagle also admitted four counts related to his failure to keep records of the medicine. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeConnolly pleaded guilty to two counts relating to possessing the vet-only medicine and causing or permitting a lay person to administer it to the two dogs. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe judge said Nagle was a fine vet with no previous convictions and that he was likely to face consequences from an ongoing fitness-to-practice inquiry. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceNagle was given six months to pay the €12,500 fine. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceConnolly was given six months to pay the €400 fine. (thejournal.ie)
- otherOne dog died and the other was humanely euthanised some days later. (thejournal.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 1 Aug2024Vet fined €12,500 over unlawful administration of euthanasia drug to two dogs in 2020
Sentencing of the vet Sydney Nagle and pound supervisor Raymond Connolly at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, described as the latest in a series of prosecutions over the Ashton Dog Pound events of July 2020.
convicted, Sydney Nagle, 65, male, named, irish (judged from name)Sydney Nagleconvicted, Raymond Connolly, 56, male, named, irish (judged from name)Raymond Connolly