Man (29) stabbed dog with pitchfork in Waterford
Four people were charged with violent disorder.
A Waterford man stabbed a dog with a pitchfork over an inter-family dispute.
James Whelan (29) broke into a man’s house in Cappoquin and deliberately sought out and stabbed the man’s Staffordshire dog. The dog survived the injuries.
At Waterford Circuit Court, Judge Eugene O’Kelly heard from Garda Alan Crowley about the evening of August 12, 2024. At 9.50pm, Gardaí were flagged down by Peter Allen (31) and Marie Power (47) near the former's home on Barrack Street, Lismore, Co. Waterford. Allen and Power told Gardaí that James Whelan and his partner (and daughter of Marie) Shannon Power broke into Allen’s home and stabbed his dog with a pitchfork.
Allen and Power went off towards the Ringsend Estate to confront Whelan and Power against Gardaí orders.
Camera footage captured mother and daughter facing off with their fists raised. Patricia Allen (53), aunt of Peter, can also be seen punching James Whelan twice.
“There was a lot going on,” said Garda Crowley. Pepper spray had to be deployed to stop the fighting. Red garden shears were recovered from the scene.
James Whelan, of The Square, Stradbally, had 20 previous convictions. Marie Power, of 29 Bothar Mochuda, Lismore, had 36 previous convictions, Peter Allen of Barrack Street, Cappoquin, had 10, and Patricia Allen, of 33 Shanbally, Cappoquin, had 22 previous convictions. All four were charged with violent disorder.
Marie Power, Peter Allen and Patricia Allen received suspended sentences and were ordered to be of good behaviour and to keep the peace.
Whelan had his matter pushed back to April 2027 while he completes an intensive rehabilitation treatment programme.
