Courts / Mayo / Report

Mayo man jailed over dog attack that left woman with life changing injuries

Date
2026-02-20

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Castlebar

County
Mayo

Summary

A Knockmore man has been sentenced to four years in prison at Castlebar Circuit Court for offences including the savage mauling of a woman by his unmuzzled dog. David Barrett, aged 41, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm following an attack on November 20th, 2022, at Mount Falcon estate. The victim sustained life-changing injuries including severe lacerations and puncture wounds requiring emergency surgery and ongoing treatment. Judge Eoin Garavan noted the dog had been wandering loose and described Barrett's casual attitude toward the danger posed to the public. Barrett also pleaded guilty to assaulting two female gardaí who attended his home in July 2024 whilst responding to a domestic disturbance report. The court heard he was heavily intoxicated and attacked both officers with violence. The global sentence comprised two years for the dog attack and three years for assaulting the gardaí, with the final year suspended. Barrett was ordered to engage in mental health services, substance addiction treatment, and probation supervision upon release.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Mayo man jailed over dog attack that left woman with life changing injuries. Charges or matters: assault causing harm of Sandra Killeen, who had been walking her dog with her young son at Mount Falcon estate when she was attacked on November 20, 2022; assaulting Garda Laura Shevlin and Garda Sharon Rooney outside his home on July 16, 2024. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

November 20, 2022 Incident
July 16, 2024 Incident
July 2024 Incident
2026-02-20 Publication

Case subjects

David Barrett

Defendant

Charges: assault causing harm of Sandra Killeen, who had been walking her dog with her young son at Mount Falcon estate when she was attacked on November 20, 2022; assaulting Garda Laura Shevlin and Garda Sharon Rooney outside his home on July 16, 2024 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Judge Garavan also sentenced Barrett in relation to separate incidents, during which he attacked two female gardaí who had responded to reports of a domestic disturbance at his home. Judge Garavan handed him a global sentence for all offences of five years in prison, with the final year suspended.