Boy bitten by dog in Laois playground

An unrestrained dog chased and bit a child in a playground in Laois. 

Kathleen Drennan (54) of 23 Erkindale, Durrow, admitted having an uncontrolled dog at Durrow Playground on March 29, 2024. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said a 7-year-old boy was walking through the playground with his mother when a dog ran at him. The boy tried to jump over a wall but the dog caught up with him and bit him. 

“I think it was a whippet dog,” said Sgt Kirby. He said the injured party didn’t want to make a victim impact statement but he had a medical report. 

Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said his client immediately contacted the injured party and paid for the medical expenses. The woman works in healthcare and is embarrassed at having to appear in court, he said. 

Mr Fitzgerald said the woman was minding the dog for her daughter who lives in Spain. The animal has now been returned to Spain, he said. 

“This was simply a mistake that the defendant deeply regrets,”  Mr Fitzgerald told the sitting of Portlaoise District Court. 

Judge Susan Fay directed that the woman pay €250 to the court poor box. When the money was handed over she applied the probation act.