Wednesday 28 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. 1526Destruction of dangerous dogs (Control of Dogs Act) · Co. Dublin · 28 Mar 2025

Widow of murder victim ordered to pay €11,216 for care of seized XL Bully dogs in Dublin

Four XL Bully dogs were seized in Blanchardstown, Dublin, after one escaped and was unleashed on gardaí patrolling in a cul-de-sac on 28 March 2025. Veronica Maher, 54, a woman and widow of murder victim Jason Hennessy snr, who was shot dead in a Blanchardstown steakhouse on Christmas Eve 2023, denied opening a gate to unleash the unmuzzled dog. On 28 May 2025, Judge Anthony Halpin at Dublin District Court granted a destruction order for all four dogs and ordered Ms Maher to pay €11,216 for nine weeks of care. Ms Maher is to appeal in the Circuit Court and may bring a judicial review, with a temporary halt on the dogs being put down pending the outcome.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court11 Jun
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Four XL Bully dogs named Oddie, Reggie, Medusa, and Joe were seized after one escaped and was unleashed on gardaí patrolling in a cul-de-sac.
Where
The dogs were seized in Blanchardstown, Dublin.
When
The escape incident occurred on 28 March 2025 and the dogs were taken from Ms Maher on 4 April 2025.
Investigation
Ms Maher denied opening a gate to unleash the unmuzzled dog on gardaí.
Charges
A Garda application under the Control of Dogs Act sought a destruction order for all four dogs.
In court
On 28 May 2025, Judge Anthony Halpin at Dublin District Court found the dogs were dangerous and not under proper control and granted a destruction order for all four.
Sentence
Ms Maher was ordered to pay €11,216 for nine weeks of care for the dogs.
Other details
  • Ms Maher is to appeal the ruling in the Circuit Court and may bring a judicial review of the destruction order.
  • There is a temporary halt on the dogs being put down pending the outcome of the appeals.
  • Ms Maher's late husband Jason Hennessy snr was shot dead in a Blanchardstown steakhouse on Christmas Eve 2023.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe four dogs are named Oddie, Reggie, their mother Medusa, and Joe. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatMs Maher denied opening a gate to unleash the unmuzzled dog on gardaí patrolling in her cul-de-sac. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe dogs were seized in Dublin, Blanchardstown. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe dogs were taken from Ms Maher on 4 April 2025. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtA judge ordered Veronica Maher to pay over €11,000 for the care of her four XL Bully dogs. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMs Maher appeared before Dublin District Court on 28 May to challenge a Garda application under the Control of Dogs Act. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMs Maher is to appeal the ruling in the Circuit Court and may bring a judicial review of the destruction order for the other three dogs. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge Halpin found the dogs were dangerous and not under proper control. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThere is a temporary halt on the dogs being put down pending the outcome of the appeals. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMs Maher's late husband Jason Hennessy snr was shot dead in a Blanchardstown steakhouse on Christmas Eve 2023. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 11 Jun2025
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Widow of murder victim ordered to pay €11,000 for care of seized XL Bully dogs

    Reports the costs order of €11,216 for nine weeks of dog care, details of the destruction order for all four dogs, the escape incident on 28 March, and Ms Maher's planned appeal and possible judicial review.

    accused, Veronica Maher, 54, female, named, irish (judged from name)Veronica Maher