Woman thought she would die in horrific dog attack in Ballina 

A Ballina man who allowed a restricted dog breed to viciously maul a woman has also been charged with assaulting two female Gardaí in a separate incident.

David Barrett, aged 41, of Ballymacredmond, Knockmore, pleaded guilty to the offences when he appeared before Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court. Barrett was charged with assault causing harm after a Bullmastiff-Pitbull cross named ‘Diesel’ savagely attacked a woman as she and her child walked their own dog.

The victim Sandra Killeen, of Tavanaghmore, Foxford sustained serious injuries and required emergency surgery following the shocking ordeal which occurred in the grounds of Mountfalcon House Estate on November 20, 2022.

Ms Killeen sustained several puncture wounds, intense bruising and severe lacerations to both arms, her chest, back, right thigh and groin. Surgeons told her she was lucky not to lose her left arm. She continues to have restricted mobility in the arm and ongoing nerve pain.

Det Gda Eamhair Brosnan told the court that the Pitbull was unmuzzled and roaming loose in the wooded grounds. The animal started sniffing around and growling at Mrs Kileen’s dog. She picked up her own dog and was walking away when the Pitbull attacked. She told her nine-year old son to “run away” before she was viciously mauled. 

In a victim impact statement to the court, she described the “terrifying and traumatic” attack and said she feared for her life.

“The dog knocked me to the ground and proceeded to maul me. Despite trying to fight back, the dog was too strong for me. At one stage, weakened and overwhelmed, I looked up at the sky and truly believed I was going to die,” said Ms Killeen.

Only the bravery of a passerby who fought off the dog with a stick and another man who managed to source a rope to control the animal prevented potentially fatal injuries.

“The attack was relentless and the dog was going for my neck when a brave passerby intervened, beating the dog away with a stick. Their actions saved my life and I am deeply grateful as the attack came terrifying close to being fatal.” 

A retired nurse and doctor were on the grounds and attended to the woman’s wounds. She was taken to Mayo University Hospital where she underwent two and a half hours of stitching before being transferred to hospital in Galway for surgery.

Ms Killeen continues to bear the emotional scars of the frightening episode.

“The emotional and psychological effects of that day have had a profound effect on me and my family. I went from being a person who loves walking and the outdoors to a former shell of myself. I flinch when I see a dog, big or small, but especially a black dog. 

"I cannot walk alone. When I hear a dog bark or growl it triggers overwhelming feelings of panic as memories of that day come flooding back. What used to be a normal event like a walk in the woods now causes me dread and stress. I still suffer from flashbacks, nightmares and heightened anxiety,” she stated.

She said her son was also left traumatised by the attack.

“My son who was nine at the time witnessed the attack and had nightmares especially about me screaming. He told me when I stopped screaming he thought I was dead but I had lost consciousness from both pain and exhaustion. I cannot put into words the trauma of knowing that he believed he had lost me and the effect it had on him.”

The Pitbull, which has since been destroyed, was traced to Barrett. When officers called to his home he told them the dog had been missing since the afternoon. He told Gardaí it was a “pet” and it attacked nobody before telling officers to get off his property.

When Gardaí returned to his home the following day he claimed he did not have a dog and again told them to leave.

Barrett, a father-of-three with 33 previous convictions, told the court he was minding the dog for somebody else and never wanted it at his home.

He apologised to Mrs Killeen.

The court later heard that an XL Bully called ‘Angel’ belonging to Barrett had to be destroyed after it bit a child.

Barrett also pleaded guilty to an assault on two female Gardaí.

Gda Shane Prendergast told the court that on July 16, 2024, Gda Laura Shevlin and Gda Sharon Rooney responded to a report of a domestic disturbance at Barrett’s home. His son claimed his father had been taking cocaine and was hysterical. Barrett later denied in court that he was on drugs but said he was drunk.

When the officers arrived, Barrett emerged from his house and was roaring and shouting abuse. He swung the front gate towards the Gardaí in an attempt to hit them. The man was aggressive and was shining a torch in their eyes.

Barrett then jumped the gate and charged at both Gardaí. He punched Gda Rooney twice in the chest and spat at her before lunging at Gda Shevlin, forcing the officers to deploy their pepper spray.

Barrett retreated to his home from where he proceeded to throw stones at Gardaí. The officers returned to Ballina Garda Station and additional Gardaí went back to Barrett’s home. The assistance of the Armed Support Unit was also requested.

When the officers returned, Barrett came out of his house bare-chested. He was extremely irate, aggressive and abusive and threatened to set his dogs on the Gardaí. Two units of the Armed Support Unit attended the scene but by the time they arrived Barrett had left the area.

Two days later, Barrett presented himself at Ballina Garda Station. He was arrested and was abusive when questioned.

The court heard Gda Shevlin left An Garda Síochána following the incident and Gda Rooney has not yet returned to work.

Barrister Aine Boyle, representing Barrett, said her client has “a bit of persecution complex in relation to An Garda Síochána”.

The court heard he has been in custody for the past 15 months.

Judge Eoin Garavan said a custodial sentence awaits Barrett.

“One thug and his dog is the only thing that comes to mind,” said the judge.

He requested a probation report and adjourned sentencing until February 20, 2026.

• Published as part of the Court Reporting Scheme.