Woman killed in dog attack in County Limerick

A woman has died after being attacked by a dog in a house in County Limerick.

The attack occurred in Ballyneety at around 11.40pm local time on Tuesday.

The 23-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene, the Gardaí (Irish police) said.

Police said one dog was “destroyed” and several others were confiscated.

Irish broadcaster RTÉ reported that the dogs were a banned breed.

Irish Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys said she was “absolutely horrified” by the woman’s death and sent her condolences to her family.

She said further action was needed on dog control and that she had set up a cross-government pressure group, chaired by retired Assistant Garda Commissioner John Twomey, to look into the issue.

“I have asked the group to review the list of restricted breeds in line with the measures taken in Great Britain and Northern Ireland,” she said in a statement.

“I am committed to working with colleagues across Government to take all necessary action to strengthen our dog control laws,” she added.

A list of breeds restricted in the Republic of Ireland can be found here.

No breed of dog is banned in the Republic of Ireland.