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. 11862Causing unnecessary suffering to animals (Animal Welfare Act) · Co. Waterford

Woman given suspended sentence and lifetime animal ban over neglect of 79 dogs in Waterford

Sandra Hennessy, 63, pleaded guilty at Dungarvan District Court to 22 summonses under the Animal Welfare Act for causing unnecessary suffering to dogs at her former home in Ballinamult, Co Waterford. She received a four-month sentence on each summons, suspended for one year, and a lifetime ban on keeping animals.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced6 Dec
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
15 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA 63-year-old woman pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to 79 dogs at her home in Co Waterford. (rte.ie)
  • whatHennessy first said there were around 29 dogs at the house, but inspection found up to 79. (rte.ie)
  • whatMany dogs were kept in makeshift pens and cages, with bedding of cardboard and plastic boxes. (rte.ie)
  • whatThe dogs had ear infections, eye infections and respiratory conditions. (rte.ie)
  • whatA lurcher dog had wounds down to the bone and was later euthanised. (rte.ie)
  • whatThe lurcher dog was later euthanised. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe dogs were kept at her former address at Dyrick, Ballinamult, Co Waterford. (rte.ie)
  • whenThe offences took place on dates between July 2024 and February 2025. (rte.ie)
  • investigationAn animal welfare inspector first visited the house on 23 July 2024 after an animal welfare concern. (rte.ie)
  • investigationAround 34 dogs were removed from the house on 30 July and a further 21 on 29 August. (rte.ie)
  • chargeShe pleaded guilty at Dungarvan District Court to 22 summonses under the Animal Welfare Act. (rte.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge imposed a four-month sentence on each of the 22 summonses, to run concurrently, suspended for one year. (rte.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge imposed a lifetime ban under Section 58 of the Animal Welfare Act on keeping any animals. (rte.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge ordered that the ten dogs at her current property be removed immediately. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe defence said the costs owed to the ISPCA were €5,582 and that she could not currently pay them. (rte.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 6 Dec2025
    Sentencedrte.ie, first report
    Suspended sentence for woman who mistreated up to 80 dogs

    Court outcome: suspended sentence, lifetime ban on keeping animals, and removal of the ten dogs remaining at her current address. Gives the number of dogs (up to 79), the investigation timeline and the removals of dogs in July and August 2025.

    convicted, Sandra Hennessy, 63, female, named, irish (judged from name)Sandra Hennessy