Thursday 29 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. 8276Dog attack · Co. Clare

Woman and child hospitalised in dog attack in Clare

A woman in her 50s and a young boy were taken to hospital after being attacked by a sheepdog near O'Brien's Bridge in Co Clare on the Saturday before the article was published. The dog was described as 'extremely vicious' and was put down after the attack. The boy was released that evening with a few stitches, and gardaí said the woman's injuries were more serious. Gardaí have confirmed they are investigating the incident, and no arrest or charge is reported in the articles.

  1. Reported12 Aug
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A woman in her 50s and a young boy were taken to hospital after being attacked by a sheepdog.
Where
The attack occurred near O'Brien's Bridge in Co Clare.
When
The attack occurred on the Saturday before the article was published, reported by RTÉ on 12 August 2026 and updated on 13 August 2026.
Cause
The dog was coming out onto the public road when it attacked the woman, according to Clare County Dog Warden Frankie Coote.
Other details
  • The sheepdog was described as 'extremely vicious' and was put down after the attack.
  • The boy was taken to hospital and released that evening with a few stitches.
  • Gardaí said the woman's injuries were more serious than the boy's.
  • Frankie Coote was alerted by local gardaí, who asked him to attend the scene as a matter of urgency.
  • The dog warden said the attack was carried out in exceptional circumstances.
Investigation
Gardaí have confirmed they are investigating the incident.
Charges
No arrest or charge is reported in the articles.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA woman in her 50s and a child were taken to hospital after being attacked by a dog. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe incident occurred near O'Brien's Bridge in Co Clare. (rte.ie)
  • whenThe incident occurred on the Saturday before the article was published. (rte.ie)
  • investigationGardaí have confirmed they are investigating the incident. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe sheepdog was described as extremely vicious and was put down after the attack. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe young boy was hospitalised and released that evening with a few stitches. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe woman's injuries were more serious than the boy's, according to gardaí. (rte.ie)
  • otherClare County Dog Warden Frankie Coote was alerted by gardaí and went to the scene. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe dog warden said the attack was carried out in exceptional circumstances. (rte.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 12 Aug2026
    Reportedrte.ie, first report
    Woman, child hospitalised in 'vicious' Clare dog attack

    Adds the dog warden's account, the boy's injuries (hospitalised and released with a few stitches), the woman's more serious injuries, and that the dog was sedated and put down.

    victim, 50s, femalevictim, male