Nicole Morey’s partner witnessed ‘horrific’ dog attack remotely on security cameras at their home

She had been speaking to her sister on the phone a short time before her death.

She had just got home from celebrating her 23rd birthday when she was attacked at about 11.40pm at her home outside Ballyneety village, some 12k from Limerick city.

Two dogs were around her during the attack, with one dog appearing to be the main aggressor, sources said.

At least one of these dogs is understood to have been a XL Bully, a crossbreed recently banned in the UK due to its involvement in multiple killings there.

Armed gardaí shot one of the dogs dead in an effort to stop the dog mauling the young woman.

The other three dogs — one which was outside with Ms Morey and another two which are understood to have been in a room in the house, were seized by the Limerick dog warden.

Gardaí have warned against sharing any video circulating online of the fatal attack.

First responders to the tragic and violent incident have been offered welfare services to help cope with the trauma.

Balloons were set off in memory of Nicole on Thursday evening in Limerick.

Her sister Jolene wrote on Facebook: “My poor sister didn’t deserve it.” 

Jolene previously wrote on Facebook that she had “only hung up” the phone to her sister “two seconds” before she was fatally attacked.

“I really tried my best to help,” she wrote.

“I’m so sorry Nicole. I love you so much it feels like a bad dream.” 

Nicole was described as “pure light” and “the nicest girl” who would “do anything for anyone” in tributes on RIP.ie.

“Nicole was such a genuine and caring character. A heart of gold with an infectious smile,” one mourner wrote.

Another described her as “beautiful, bright, kind and funny”. 

“I […] loved her because of the pure hearted gentle loving soul that shone from within her. Her energy was pure light. She left a mark on my heart and I will forever cherish our little chats. God rest your soul Nicole,” another wrote.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee said on Wednesday she believed there should be an outright ban in Ireland on certain dog breeds which are known to be potentially vicious.

And Rural and Community Development Minister Heather Humphreys, who recently established an expert body to examine dog control has asked it to prioritise its work around restricted breeds following Ms Morey’s death.

“If they recommend they [restricted breeds] be banned, I would be open to banning them,” she said.

XL Bullys were banned and seriously restricted in the UK after they were involved in about half of fatal dog attacks between 2021 and 2023.

Ms Morey’s granduncle, Anthony O’Donnell, 58, said she was known for treating her dogs “like her own babies”.

“She was out for her birthday, she was 23, and, she went home, opened the hall door to go in home when the dog attacked her, jumped out on top of her and attacked her,” Mr O’Donnell said.

By the time the gardaí got there, they [the dogs] were mauling her, the gardaí couldn’t really get them off of her, they had to shoot the dog to get him off of her,” he said.

Earlier this year, Ms Morey had posted about difficulties controlling her XL on the Dog Behavior and Training Tips 2024 Facebook group.

“When I go to put my xl on the lead for walks he’s freaking out running to the door out of excitement but nearly too excited for us to even get the lead and collar on him,” she wrote in late February.

Her family has requested that the house remain private. 

Funeral arrangements have yet to be released.