The Minister for Rural and Community Development has said dangerous breeds of dogs could be banned this Autumn. 

Nicole Morley died following a dog attack in County Limerick on Tuesday night, after celebrating her 23rd birthday. It is understood the animal involved was an XL bully. 

A Garda investigation is underway following the incident, which happened at a house near the village of Ballyneety, a rural area just outside Limerick city.

A cross-governmental working group has been exploring the issue of restricted breeds of dogs, and Minister Heather Humphreys said she will take whatever they recommend on board. 

“I have set up a stakeholders group to look at the whole issue around the control of dogs,” she said. 

“It is chaired by a former Deputy Garda Commissioner and they are looking at a number of issues. 

“I have spoken to the chairperson John Twomey and I have asked him to prioritise the issue of restricted breeds that we have in this country.” 

A contentious breed

Last year, the British Government announced XL Bullies would be banned in England and Wales following a spate of attacks. 

"I share the nation's horror at the recent videos we've all seen,” Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said at the time. 

“Yesterday, we saw another suspected XL bully dog attack, which has tragically led to a fatality.

"It is clear this is not about a handful of badly trained dogs, it's a pattern of behaviour and it cannot go on.” 

It’s clear the American XL Bully dog is a danger to our communities.

I’ve ordered urgent work to define and ban this breed so we can end these violent attacks and keep people safe. pic.twitter.com/Qlxwme2UPQ

— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) September 15, 2023

In February, the Scottish Government announced it too would ban the contentious breed. 

In March, the Northern Ireland Executive said there would be new restrictions on the breeding and sale of XL Bullies as well.

Main image: American Bully breed dog. Picture by: Alamy.com.