A YOUNG woman killed by her own dogs on her birthday was known for treating the animals “like her own babies”, heartbroken relatives said.
The victim, named locally as Nicole O’Donnell Morey, 23, from Limerick City, who was living on the outskirts of the village of Fedamore, Co Limerick, died at the scene of the vicious animal attack.
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Ms Morey had celebrated her birthday before she was mauled to death at the front door of the house.
After Gardai were alerted, armed officers shot dead one of the dogs and took control of three others.
Speaking from Spain where he was on holidays, Ms Morey’s granduncle, Anthony O’Donnell, 58, said distressed family members telephoned him and delivered the shocking news.
He said: “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.
READ MORE IN ATTACK HORROR
“By the time the Gardai got there, they (the dogs) were mauling her, the gardai couldn’t really get them off of her, that’s what I’m hearing from family members that are ringing me.”
Paying tribute, Mr O’Donnell described his grandniece as “a lovely girl, with a great heart, would do you a good turn rather than any turn”.
He added: “She was a decent girl, quiet, she kept to herself.”
Mr O’Donnell said two young women who were staying in the same hotel as him in Spain told him his deceased grandniece was well known for posting photos of herself and the dogs on social media.
'LIKE HER CHILDREN'
He said: “There’s two young girls here and they know her and they said she used to treat them (the dogs) like babies.
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“They said she used to have Snapchats up and Facebook (posts) with the dogs inside in bed with her, that they were like her children.”
It’s understood that the dog that killed Ms Morey was an American XL Bully, however Gardai had not disclosed what type of dogs were involved.
Ms Morey died at the scene of the attack despite the best efforts of paramedics who treated her there.
Her body was removed to University Hospital Limerick where a post mortem was to be carried out.
'LOVELY FAMILY'
Family friend Fr Richard Davern of St Mary’s parish, Limerick city, led prayers at St Mary’s Church, Athlunkard, Limerick, in memory of the deceased.
He said: “We prayed for the poor woman at mass this morning, I buried her grandfather Pa O’Donnell only last February, they are a lovely family from St Mary’s Park.”
The Limerick parish priest said the family were well known in community and sporting circles, and that Ms Morey’s granduncle, Anthony O’Donnell, was awarded the title of Community Volunteer of the Year at the All-Ireland Community and Council Awards, held last March.
He added: “There are no words to really describe the absolute horror of this. God love them.
TASKFORCE LOOKS AT OUTRIGHT BAN
By Adam Higgins, Political Correspondent
A FORMER top cop is currently heading up a taskforce that is examining Ireland’s dog laws to determine whether they need to be stricter – including the possibility of banning some breeds.
At the moment, there are 11 restricted breeds in Ireland that require owners to keep them on short strong leads, always be muzzled in public and wear a collar with the owners’ details.
These breeds include American pit bull terriers, English bull terriers, Bull mastiff, Doberman, German Shepard, Rhodesian ridgeback, Rottweiler, Japenese Akita and Tosa along with the Bandog.
Irresponsible dog owners who breach these rules can be fined on the spot by wardens with fines recently doubled from €150 to €300.
However, following a number of high profile dog attacks Minister Heather Humphreys has put together a taskforce to examine whether Ireland needs to toughen up its dog laws.
This group led by former Garda Assistant Commissioner John Twomey will also consider the UK’s move to outright ban the XL Bully breed.
Speaking to the Irish Sun earlier this year, Minister Humphreys said she was in favour of banning certain dangerous breeds such as the XL Bully.
She said: “I don’t know why people would want XL Bully dogs. I really don’t.
“People are intimidated by them and they put fear into people. So if that group (taskforce) decides that we need to ban dogs then I am happy to take their recommendations.
“I am open to that idea of the XL Bully (ban). I don’t know why anybody would want a dog like that and why they are breeding these types of dogs.
“There are loads of dogs out there. Dogs are companions, they are not meant to be items to put fear into people.”
“Everyone is just shocked, it’s horrific, absolutely horrific.
“I spoke to one of her former school teachers this morning and they said (Nicole) had a lovely personality.
“They said she had ambitions to go back to college and train as a SNA (Special Needs Assistant) and into education, so she had ambitions, the poor girl, god love her, and god love all the first responders and emergency services worker who came upon it and have to deal with the fallout of it.”
Gardai attached to the Garda Scenes of Crime Unit combed areas outside and inside the house today.
LOCALS IN SHOCK
Local Gardai had sealed off an entrance gate at the house as well as access to a boreen running alongside the property.
The large two-storey house located on a country road between the villages of Ballyneety and Fedamore, is situated about 18km from Limerick city.
Locals in the idyllic rural hinterland which was plunged into a nightmare also expressed their “shock”.
Gardai issued a media alert asking people not to engage in sharing a video linked to the fatal incident with others online.
A notice said: “An Garda Síochána is aware of footage of this incident in circulation and out of respect for the deceased, would ask the public and the media not to share these videos.”
Ms Morey'sdevastated familyis being comforted by loved ones today ahead of a balloon release in her memory tomorrow.
Nicole's sister Jolene revealed her pain at the heartbreaking loss.
She said: “My heart is shattered once again. On your birthday.
“I only hung up on you two seconds before I really tried my best to help. I’m so sorry Nicole I love you so much. It feels like a bit bad dream.”
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