Lifetime ban from owning animals

NSPCA Inspectors alerted Fingal County Council following a complaint received regarding an alleged puppy farm at a premises in Swords, Co. Dublin.

On 8 November 2023, NSPCA Inspectors assisted An Garda Síochána and a Fingal County Council Dog Warden, who had obtained a warrant from the Dublin Metropolitan District Court in connection with the reported animal welfare concerns.

Upon entering the property, Inspectors were met with extremely poor living conditions. Multiple dogs were confined in unsuitable crates without access to water. The premises were heavily soiled with urine, faeces, and household waste throughout.

At the rear of the property, additional dogs, including puppies, were discovered without adequate shelter or clean water. A dog run was found to be heavily contaminated with faeces and urine, and bowls contained waste instead of water. Two of the dogs were observed to be severely underweight.

Scroll down to read more

Lifetime ban from owning animals

In total, six dogs were seized and removed under the Animal Health and Welfare Act. Two underweight Airdale Terrier type dogs were transported to the NSPCA Dublin Centre, where the veterinary team was on standby to examine them. A full report of the investigation, including photographic evidence taken at the premises and by the NSPCA veterinary team along with full veterinary reports, were submitted to Fingal County Council to be used as evidence for the case.

Fingal County Council subsequently prosecuted the defendant on 12 charges under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.

In court on Tuesday, 4 October 2025, the defendant, a father of one, pleaded guilty at Dublin District Court to six counts of neglect and six counts of causing unnecessary suffering to the dogs.

The court heard that the defendant had prior convictions under the Animal Health and Welfare Act from November 2022, for which he had received a custodial sentence. He pleaded for leniency, presenting photographs of the property and claiming that a drainage problem at the rented premises explained the strong odour of faeces and urine.

In mitigation, it was stated that the defendant had cared for and adopted dogs from an early age and had previously kept animals to a high standard, winning medals and awards. His barrister appealed to the court not to impose a custodial sentence, noting that the defendant cares for his elderly father and has not kept any dogs since the incident.

Solicitor Mr. Quinlan informed the court that the defendant had previously been given a 10-year ban on owning animals for his previous conviction. The judge agreed to extend this to a lifetime ban, with the possibility of review at a later date should the defendant apply to keep animals in the future.

We are pleased to say that both dogs who were seized by NSPCA inspectors have since been rehomed to loving families, where they are reported to be doing very well. We hope the four dogs seized by Fingal County Council are also living the happy lives they all deserve.

We would like to thank Fingal County Council and An Garda Síochána for all their efforts in this joint animal cruelty investigation. If you ever suspect an animal is suffering, please contact the National SPCA.

Dublin area: Online Form: Click Here Email: inspectors@dspca.ie. Call (01) 499 4727

All Other Areas: Online Form: Click Here Call: 0818 515 515

All reported cases of animal cruelty are kept completely confidential.