Courts / Dublin / Report
'Truly despicable': man killed 12-week old puppy in front of children
Summary
Michael Connors, 27, of Lambda Apartments, Monkstown Farm, Dublin, was found guilty of assaulting his wife, criminal damage, and animal cruelty. On 9 April 2020, after drinking, he brought home a 12‑week‑old puppy, forced it into a cold bath, and then threw it on the floor in front of his three small children and wife, causing the dog's death by head trauma. He later punched his wife, demanded money, and locked her and the children in the house before going to a shop. He also assaulted his wife at a relative's home, smashing her phone and throwing a scooter. Connors pleaded guilty to two counts of assault, one of criminal damage and one of animal cruelty. The judge sentenced him to 18 months for each assault and animal cruelty, 18 months for criminal damage, with the latter suspended for four years under strict conditions, and required probation supervision for two years.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Truly despicable': man killed 12-week old puppy in front of children. Charges or matters: two counts of assault against his wife, one count of criminal damage and one count of animal cruelty. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- April 9, 2020 Incident
- March 2022 Incident
- 2022-11-11 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: two counts of assault against his wife, one count of criminal damage and one count of animal cruelty (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: For assaulting his wife and animal cruelty, she sentenced him to 18 months on each count, with both sentences to run consecutively. For criminal damage and a further assault on his wife, she sentenced him to 18 months in prison on both counts backdated to when he went into custody in March 2022.
Places mentioned
Topics
Animal Related Stage Sentence Violent Crime
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
Help us improve this report
Your request is saved for the newsroom's next review. It does not immediately change the published report.
Prefer email? Send a correction request.