Five ‘severely neglected' dogs rescued from Portlaoise property
Five 'severely neglected' Cavachon dogs have been rescued from a property in Portlaoise,
Co Laois
.
The rescue took place following concerns made to the
Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
(ISPCA) organisation's helpline from a concerned member of the public about the welfare of dogs on the premises.
The ISPCA said, after 'numerous failed attempts' to gain access to the property last week, it, along with support from local gardaí, rescued the dogs, three of which were puppies.
ISPCA inspector Jimmy McCormack said: 'It was a sad state of neglect. One of the dogs was so terrified that it took some time to catch him. He could hardly move due to the condition of his badly matted coat, and it was one of the worst cases of neglect I have seen for a while.
READ MORE
[
Cat rescued from within walls of Galway shop after being trapped for six weeks
Opens in new window
]
'His skin was irritated from the weight of this coat pulling on his skin. The living conditions were very grim, with rubbish strewn everywhere, and the long-term neglect of this situation is something that will disturb me for long time.'
The ISPCA said all the dogs are settling in well in its care after 'badly needed' grooming, which 'required sedation to prevent further suffering'.
Three Cavachon dogs and two puppies were rescued by the ISPCA
The dogs were living in 'very grim' conditions
[
Animal welfare inspectors shocked by huge menagerie of animals in a deplorable state
Opens in new window
]
Following extensive rehabilitation, the animal care team is hopeful the dogs will be available for adoption in the coming months.
ISPCA inspectors investigate allegations of animal cruelty made to its National Animal Cruelty Helpline on 0818 515 515.
Any suspicions of animal neglect or abuse can also be made in confidence at its
website
or by emailing
helpline@ispca.ie
.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Times
3 hours ago
- Irish Times
Motorcyclist (50s) dies in single-vehicle crash in Co Cork
A motorcylist in his 50s has died following a single-vehicle crash near Milford, Co Cork on Saturday. In a statement, gardaí said they were alerted to a motorcyclist who had been found unresponsive on Sunday morning on the R515 at Coolnagour between Milford and Dromcolliher, Co Limerick . The man was pronounced dead at the scene. The coroner has been notified and a post-mortem examination will take place in due course. The road is currently closed for a technical examination by Garda forensic collision investigators. Local diversions are in place. READ MORE Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to this incident to come forward. In particular, they are requesting that anyone who was travelling in the area between 1pm and 6pm on Saturday, and who may have camera footage, to contact investigating gardaí. Anyone with information is asked to contact Mallow Garda station on 022 31450, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station. The fatality was the second road death over the weekend. On Saturday, a man in his 60s died after he was hit by a tractor on the L7006 at Kilmurry, Sixmilebridge, in Co Clare . Gardaí and emergency services responded to the collision which happened shortly after 10.15am on Saturday. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene. His body has been transferred to University Hospital Limerick and a post-mortem examination will take place in due course.
Irish Times
5 hours ago
- Irish Times
Three men hospitalised following violent clashes in Limerick city
Three men were injured and treated in hospital following violent clashes, linked to feuding between rival criminal families, in Limerick city overnight. One of the three men taken by ambulance to University Hospital Limerick was being prepped to undergo 'surgery' for a serious but not life-threatening injury, sources said. The other two men had minor injuries. 'Weapons', believed to be slash hooks, were used in the violence at Hyde Avenue, on the city's south side. A car was also 'smashed up' and the area remained cordoned off by gardaí on Sunday morning. READ MORE A large group of people were involved in the clashes overnight. Local sources described the scenes as 'chaotic' and expressed concern that people could be 'killed' if it continues. The feud has escalated in recent months with increased shootings, pipe bomb attacks and firebombings of homes. Gardaí recently told Limerick District Court that 'permanent armed patrols' have been established in parts of the city, while gardaí are also stationed outside some schools. due to the feud. [ Petrol bombs and drive-bys: Why Limerick's gangland violence is back Opens in new window ] As part of the disputes, 'explosive devices have been used to target homes and individuals', with one house having to be demolished after sustaining major structural damage from a pipe-bomb attack, gardaí said. Garda sources said many involved in the feud are abusing cocaine, which is fuelling paranoia and adding to tensions. Officers have visited a number of people recently to inform them their lives are in danger due to active threats. It is understood gardaí have also intercepted the transport of guns and drugs through the city. The feud relates to a row between a criminal family and an organised crime group. Some of the individuals linked to it were closely associated with criminal figures involved in a gang row that left 20 men dead between the late 1990s and mid-2000s in Limerick.
Sunday World
11 hours ago
- Sunday World
Man who got €167k after losing toes in lawnmower accident lied about where it happened
Gerald Guidera told the court he had 'no way of paying the money back' A man who received €167,000 from an insurance company after he lost two toes in a lawnmower accident has avoided jail after it was revealed he lied about the location of the incident. Gerald Guidera (47), from Bianconi Way, Portlaoise, Co Laois, pleaded not guilty to deception at a trial in February this year. However, he was found guilty by a jury and appeared at Portlaoise Circuit Court yesterday for sentencing. Mr Guidera was involved in an accident with a hover mower back in 2012. He claimed it happened at a property in Clonkeen owned by his uncle-in-law, John Tynan. He was acting as caretaker and employed to maintain the house and garden. Mr Tynan, who has since died, was living in the UK at the time. The court heard how a home insurance policy was taken out on the house and garden in 2011. During a garda interview, Mr Guidera said he signed the proposal form on the policy 'on Mr Tynan's instructions'. In 2012, FBD Insurance was contacted about an accident at the house by a man purporting to be Mr Tynan. A claims adjustor for FBD, Noel Dwyer, spoke to who he believed to be Mr Tynan and was directed to go to that property to meet Mr Guidera to discuss the accident. The father-of-five claimed that he slipped due to the uneven surface and his foot came into contact with the lawnmower's blade. He had to have two toes amputated as a result of his injuries and FBD agreed to settle the claim for €130,000. A further sum of €37,000 was paid out after Mr Guidera contacted the insurer to say he needed more money to cover his expenses. Gerald Guidera had pleaded not guilty to deception. Photo: Mark Condren Co. Laois man who lost two toes in a lawnmower accident, has avoided jail. Six years later, Mr Tynan sought to make a claim on another policy with a different insurer in respect of a broken window at the Clonkeen property. While applying for this claim, the previous payout of €167,000 was referenced. Mr Tynan said this was the first he had heard about it. He subsequently made a data access request to FBD seeking information relating to the claim. Recordings of calls purportedly made by Mr Tynan were disclosed, and it transpired that it was in fact Mr Guidera who spoke on the phone, not Mr Tynan. At the time, Mr Guidera owned an equestrian training ground across the road from where the alleged the accident occurred, but there was no insurance cover in place. On the day of the accident, there were a number of spectators in the Clonkeen area watching a rally. Three witnesses gave statements saying they saw Mr Guidera using a lawnmower on the grassy banks around the paddocks of the equestrian area and later heard him shouting in pain. Following an investigation, FBD was satisfied that the accident had not occurred where he said it had, and the matter was referred to gardaí. This led to Mr Guidera being arrested in 2020, and charged with deception. Mr Tynan passed away before the trial so could not give evidence. The court heard how there had been a breakdown in their relationship over the years. Mr Guidera maintained he signed the insurance policy under Mr Tynan's instructions and denied he was never made aware of the FBD claim. Marc Thompson BL, acting for Mr Guidera, told the court that his client said the witnesses who saw him cutting the lawn on the paddocks had 'an axe to grind' and were 'acting out of malice'. Mr Thompson described his client as a 'family man' who previously played sport at a high level. Since the accident, he has suffered from mental health issues. He said his client does not have the means to repay the money to FBD. This has had a huge impact on my children. They are suffering The insurance company has initiated civil proceedings seeking repayment of €167,000. Mr Guidera asked if he could give evidence before Judge Keenan Johnson imposed his sentence. He broke down in the witness box, saying 'my life and health has gone downhill'. 'This has had a huge impact on my children. They are suffering at the moment as we speak. I have no way of paying the money back,' he told the court. Mr Thompson said his client was not in receipt of social welfare benefits as he does not qualify due to his wife's salary. He said he previously invested in property and had an equestrian business, but 'all that money was lost'. 'I've nothing,' he said. Judge Johnson described the deception as 'sophisticated'. He said the aggravating factors were the planned deception, his impersonation of Mr Tynan, and the fact FBD paid €167,000 as compensation. While Mr Guidera would have been entitled to money as the accident was genuine, he said FBD shouldn't have been liable. 'It's clear there was an accident and he suffered life-changing injuries,' Judge Johnson said. 'He has gained weight. He invested significant funds in Mr Tynan's property and he developed an equestrian arena. As a result of the fall out between them, all that money has been lost.' He said the offending was 'out of character' as he had no previous convictions. 'Desperate people do desperate things. The injury sustained was serious and life-changing. Out of desperation he saw nothing wrong with moving the location to where FBD could cover it. Insurance fraud is not without consequences. It increases costs for everyone 'People think committing fraud with an insurance company isn't the same as taking money out of someone's pocket, but in reality it is because it's impacting premium holders.' He said the court had to send out a 'clear message' that this type of activity won't be tolerated. He gave Mr Guidera a two-year sentence but fully suspended it for five years. He also ordered him to pay FBD €20,000 in five instalments over the next five years. Mr Guidera said he did not wish to comment following the court case. A spokesperson for FBD said: 'Insurance fraud is not without consequences. It increases costs for everyone and unfairly impacts honest policyholders. 'FBD Insurance is dedicated to upholding the integrity of our claims process and safeguarding the interests of all our customers'. Gerald Guidera had pleaded not guilty to deception. Photo: Mark Condren News in 90 Seconds - June 22nd
