A woman who let her dangerous dogs walk the streets near her house without a lead or muzzle was fined €1,000.

Macroom District Court heard that Ina O’Brien, of Agharvin, Coachford, was the owner of two German shepherds, classed as dangerous dogs, as well as one Belgian Malinois.

The court also heard evidence from Mrs O’Brien’s neighbour, Paul Kineen, who recounted the moment when the Malinois attacked him.

‘I had ten chickens in the front garden and could hear the three dogs outside. I came out with my shotgun and when I came around the corner of my house, the Belgian mallou attacked me. I stepped behind a water barrel and shot it along the side of its head across its nose. He went away then,’ Mr Kineen said.

The charges of not controlling a dog brought against Mrs O’Brien related to two instances when her German shepherds were out on the road near her house, unattended and not wearing a lead or a muzzle, on October 3rd and October 6th 2024 respectively.

‘This is a dangerous breed of dog and I was told it was out on a public road,’ Judge Joanne Carroll said.

The court heard that Cork County Council had issued 24 fines to Mrs O’Brien, some of which had been paid. A sum of €900 was still outstanding in relation to the two incidents in October 2024 and one in July 2025.

Cork County Council’s dog warden John Manning gave evidence, saying he had received several complaints from Mr Kineen about the dogs going on to his property, on occasion killing his chickens. The dog warden said Mrs O’Brien had since improved fencing at her home to keep the dogs from going astray.

Defence solicitor Cathill, questioned Mr Coneen about the incidents, asking: ‘Up until April 2024 you were best of friends, weren’t you? Mrs O’Brien said that you even bought treats for her dogs. In April 2024 you entered Mrs O’Brien’s house without permission. I must put it to you, this is really what’s brought all of this on.’
Mr Kineen responded: ‘What’s brought it on was the behaviour of her dogs. Her dogs killed my chickens five times in the past.’

Judge Joanne Carroll said: ‘I am quite satisfied that Mrs O’Brien does not see the gravity of this matter. She has two dogs that are deemed to be a dangerous breed. They can never be out without a muzzle or a lead. Their very presence in a public place is threatening and intimidating.’

In relation to the offence on October 3rd 2024, Judge Carroll handed Mrs O’Brien a fine of €1,000, payable within six months. The judge said she had noted that fencing had been improved and that steps had been taken. In relation to the incident of October 6th 2024, Judge Carroll adjourned the case until March 4th 2026.
‘If those dogs are out in a public place there will be serious consequences,’ the judge said.

She added: ‘Dog owners sometimes are cavalier in their approach and they don’t understand how intimidated other people can feel when their dogs are not under proper control. I am asking Cork County Council and the dog warden to be very vigilant.’

Judge Carroll said Mrs O’Brien’s dogs were to be placed in a shed or fully enclosed in a house.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.