‘It took four bullets to kill it': Gardaí risked lives at Limerick dog attack scene

Gardai arriving to the scene of the Limerick dog attack put their lives at risk from a vicious XL bully dog as they attempted to save the life of Nicole Morey.

Limerick Live has reported the exact sequence of tragic events that took place at an isolated rented property at a crossroads between Ballyneety and Fedamore in Co Limerick late on Tuesday night. 

They report that gardai received an emergency call from the ex-boyfriend of Ms Morey at 11.40pm who said that she was being attacked by dogs. It is believed the pair had broken up in recent days.

“He was watching it on CCTV. He had one of those systems where he gets an alert if there's movement outside from a sensor,” said a well-placed source.

Two uniformed officers from the locality were the first gardai on the scene and immediately called for back-up. They were quickly followed by a detective and members of the Regional Armed Support Unit. Paramedics had also rushed to the rural location.

Gardai believe Ms Morey, who celebrated her 23rd birthday on Monday, was killed by an XL bully and her pup.

It is understood that Ms Morey was lying close to the gate of the property when gardai arrived.

“It was pitch black and there was a vicious dog. The two gardai and detective had to use flashlights. The dog was very aggressive. They would have been next to be attacked. They distracted the dog but they still had to go in and grab her and get her out from under the hedge,” said the source.

Due to the effort of the gardai in bringing Ms Morey outside the perimeter, paramedics were then able to attend to Ms Morey. They valiantly tried to save Ms Morey’s life but she succumbed to her injuries at the scene.

Three members of the Regional Armed Response Unit, who had by this stage arrived at the location, entered the yard of the property.

“The dogs were still roaming around. There was no one that could tell them if there was somebody else in the house or not. There could have been a child in the house. You have to presume the worst. They had to go in and clear the house,” said the source.

The XL bully went to attack the first armed garda when it was shot in the yard.

“It took four bullets to kill it. The dog actually made it to the stairs in the house. That will show you the size and strength of it. It died on the stairs,” said the source.

Gardai managed to lock the pup in a room with two other restricted breeds of dog. These were later taken by dog wardens to the pound.

The source commended the gardai for their bravery in risking their lives to try and save Ms Morey and expressed their sympathies to her family.

No funeral arrangements have been announced to date.