Courts / Dublin / Report
Ashton Dog Pound manager fined €500 over unlawful use of euthanasia drug
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, former manager Donal Moroney, aged 70, was fined €500 for unlawfully storing and administering the euthanasia drug Dolethal to two dogs at Ashton Dog Pound in Castleknock on 24 July 2020. The drug, containing Pentobarbital Sodium, is only permitted to be stored at a veterinary practice and administered intravenously by a qualified vet. Moroney pleaded guilty to three counts: using the pound to store a veterinary‑only remedy, possessing it without being a vet, and allowing a layperson to give it orally to a Bichon Frise and an Akita. The court noted that staff lacked the experience or qualifications to handle the drug, described Moroney's culpability as "quite low," and considered mitigating factors such as his guilty plea, cooperation with Gardaí, long history of animal care, and serious health problems. He was ordered to pay the fine within three months.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Ashton Dog Pound manager fined €500 over unlawful use of euthanasia drug. Charges or matters: three counts of using the pound for storing an animal remedy designated "Veterinary Practitioner Only", possessing the remedy while not a vet himself and permitting a lay person to administer it orally to two dogs. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- July 24, 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 2023 Other
- July 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- Friday July 24, 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2000 and 2001 Other
- 2024-06-27 Publication
Why: The court heard that Moroney did not attend the pound after March 2020 because of Covid as he had extensive health problems. Court evidence reported by CNI
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: three counts of using the pound for storing an animal remedy designated "Veterinary Practitioner Only", possessing the remedy while not a vet himself and permitting a lay person to administer it orally to two dogs (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Passing sentence today, Judge Martin Nolan said staff at the pound did not have the experience or qualifications to store or administer the drug in question, but described Moroney's level of culpability as "quite low".
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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