Rottweiler attacked dogs in Portlaoise estate

A man whose Rottweiler dog attacked other dogs engaged positively with restorative justice, a court was told.

Stephen Talbot, (63), of 122 Rossvale, Portlaoise, appeared in court for allowing his Rottweiler attack dogs in Rossvale on August 16 and 27, 2022 and on September 17, 2023. He was also accused of having a dog without a muzzle at his address and not having control of the dog on September 17, 2023.  

Solicitor Philip Meagher said a restorative justice report was available which showed his client had “engaged very positively” in the process. He said the man had also brought two sums of compensation for two injured parties to court. One was for €635.08 and the other was for €67.50. 

Garda Lisa Murray handed in a victim impact statement on behalf of one of the injured parties and said the defendant “did engage well to be fair to him.” 

Mr Meagher said his client had written a letter of apology and had shown “empathy and understanding at what happened.” 

“From the very get go he has been forthright,” said Mr Meagher. 

Acknowledging the compensation and the defendant’s level of engagement with restorative justice, Judge Susan Fay applied the probation act at the sitting of Portlaoise District Court.