The court heard the dogs had no option but to lie down in these conditions. All the dogs were visibly underweight and some had movement difficulty as a result. When some of the dogs were released from their kennel they sought out any water to satisfy their thirst. All 10 living dogs were removed and subsequent veterinary examinations found that four of the dogs had body condition scores of 1.5/9 or less which wasclassed as emaciated.

In the weeks after their removal, three more of them unfortunately died or were euthanised due to the severity of their neglect.

The defendant, a 33 year old Meath man, had pleaded guilty to six offences under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. Judge Éirinn McKiernan said the case was a very serious one involving wonderful animals who relied completely on their owner.

She said their ill-treatment could not be tolerated on any level, describing it as “completely and utterly unacceptable”. The judge imposed a three-month prison sentence, disqualified him from keeping animals for 10 years, and ordered that he pay €23,000 in costs.

The defendant lodged an appeal against his sentence.

On Tuesday 2nd December 2025, in Trim Circuit Appeals Court, a Defending barrister Fergal McMorrow told the court that the defendant had no issue with the 10 year ban from owning animals, but wanted to appeal the prison sentence.

Barrister McMorrow told the court, that the defendant has a 7 year old child who was diagnosed with autism at the age of two. The court also heard that the defendant had an unusual golfing incident in 2024 where he had sustained a head injury. The defendant accepted the evidence given by the NSPCA. He told the court that upuntil the golfing accident, the dogs were kept in “perfect condition”. Character references were submitted from his employer, ex-partner and an apology letter was also handed to the court by the defendant.

Judge John Martin said “Yes, you’re apologetic, but I’m not sure if the dogs would understand that. I’m not sure who you’re apologising to,”  He continued, “There is no excuse for animal abuse ever”, describing the conditions as “filthy”, and said that “11 German Shepherd dogs were left to rot”.

He added, “You do contribute significantly to your son’s life” and then said that his son wouldn’t understand why his father was absent (if imprisoned).

Judge Martin increased the three month sentence to six months, suspended for 18 months, on the condition that he keeps the peace with all people and animals. He reaffirmed the 10 year disqualification and the order to pay costs.