A woman who was knocked to the ground by an Alsatian dog and suffered a broken leg as a result said in her victim-impact statement that the owner of the dog had never apologised to her and this “grieved her”. She said that because of his attitude she was allowing his prosecution to go ahead.
This was the scenario outlined to Judge James Faughnan at Ballinasloe District Court when the case against Paul McMurrow of Cloonfad, Old Town, Co Roscommon came before him. McMurrow was prosecuted under the Control of Dogs Act.
However, his defence pleaded that there was a misunderstanding between the parties. His client was in fact very remorseful and had €1,000 by way of compensation.
The Court was told McMurrow was a dog lover and took his responsibilities very seriously. He had installed electric fences and walls around his property to keep his dogs in, but they managed to get out on this particular day. The Alsatian which attacked the victim had since been handed over to an animal charity.
The defendant was a fitter by trade but this was seasonal work. He recently had a tumour removed from his eye, his solicitor pleaded.
At a previous sitting Garda Sgt Christy Brown outlined a summary of the evidence. On May 14, 2024 the victim was taking her dog for a walk in a wooded area adjacent to the defendant’s house. Three dogs raced out of McMurrow’s gate and ran toward the victim. The Alsatian knocked her to the ground and she sustained a broken leg in the attack.
Judge Faughnan said he wanted to see a victim-impact statement presented to him and he also wanted to see compensation on the table when the case came before him again.
When it was called again the Judge said the victim had been taken to Portiuncula Hospital and treated for a broken leg which required pins to be inserted.
When he was informed that the victim was not making a personal injury claim against the defendant he replied, “it’s all down to money now”. He acknowledged the €1,000 that was offered and adjourned the matter until next April, allowing this time for a total of €5,000 in compensation to be paid over.
This article is funded by Comisiún na Meán.
