Woman (23) killed in Limerick dog attack on her birthday named locally

Nicole Morey (23) was killed on her birthday. An XL bully, believed to have been involved in the attack, was shot dead at the scene, while three other dogs were also seized.

Gardaí are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the horrific incident at a property in the Ballyneety area of the county shortly before midnight.

Emergency services received a report of an incident at the domestic residence at 11.40pm and rushed to the scene.

Gardaí including members of the Armed Support Unit arrived at the property and discovered the 23-year-old woman fatally injured.

The victim had been attacked by at least one dog and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Gardaí encountered a total of four dogs at the property with one animal in particular acting extremely aggressively.

Sources told Independent that this canine was shot dead as it continued to pose a serious risk to people at the scene.

The three other animals have since been seized and investigators are continuing to prove the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

Tributes have been paid online to the victim, who turned 23 yesterday, with friends and family saying they are heartbroken by her death.

A spokesperson said gardaí are aware of footage of this incident in circulation and “out of respect for the deceased, would ask the public and the media not to share these videos”.

“The woman was pronounced deceased at the scene by medical personnel. Her body has been removed from the scene to Mid Western Regional Hospital, Limerick, where a Post Mortem examination will take place,” a spokesperson said.

“The animal believed to be involved in the incident has now been destroyed. A number of other dogs have been seized. An investigation is ongoing.

“Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Roxboro Road Garda Station on (061) 214 340, the Garda Confidential line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.”

Justice Minister Helen McEntee said in a statement: “I want to acknowledge this is a really horrific incident and offer my condolences to the woman’s family.

“We have to make sure we allow the investigation, without pre-judging what’s happened here, to take its course.

“We also need to make sure that if there are breeds of animals here that people shouldn’t have, are not safe, or pose a threat that that’s made clear.”

Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys, whose department oversees the response to restrictive dog breeds, said she is “absolutely appalled by the news” of the fatal dog attack.

“I want to begin by expressing my deepest sympathies to her family in what is a deeply shocking incident.

“A garda investigation is underway and it’s important we establish the facts on what happened.

“I have consistently said that more action is required in relation to dog control.

“That’s why I have set up a cross governmental stakeholder group, chaired by the retired Deputy Garda Commissioner John Twomey, to examine this whole area. That group’s work is underway.

“I have asked the group to examine the restricted breeds list, in line with actions being taken in the UK and Northern Ireland.

“I am committed to working with colleagues across Government in taking whatever action is necessary to strengthen our dog control laws.”

Local councillor Brigit Teefy described the incident as “terrible”.

“I was talking to people on the phone and everybody is horrified,” she told the PA news agency.

“It’s a horrific story. It’s so rare that there’s an occurrence like that.”

Councillor Adam Teskey said there was shock among locals and said his sympathies are with the family of the woman.

“This is a harrowing moment in our community,” he said.

Councillor Conor Sheehan said the incident was “very, very tragic” and that his sympathies go out to the woman’s family.

On February 1, it became a criminal offence in England and Wales to own the XL bully breed without an exemption certificate.

The breed, which was developed in the US in the 1980s, has been responsible for almost half of fatal canine attacks in Britain in the past three years. Of the 23 people who died after dog attacks there, XL bullies were responsible for 12.