A man and woman charged in connection with a pitbull attack on a young boy which left him with serious facial injuries – and a separate attack on another child four days earlier – have both been jailed for two years.
Karen Miller, 38, and Niall Byrne, 26, both of Forgelands in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford appeared before Judge James McCourt at Wexford Circuit Criminal Court today for sentencing after they pleaded guilty to a number of offences.
Miller, pleaded guilty to two charges of endangerment in relation to the pitbull attack on nine-year-old Alejandro Mizsan, and a separate attack on another child four days earlier on November 23, 2022.
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Byrne pleaded guilty to the inhumane destruction of an animal, and is also charged with two offences of making threats to kill.
Alejandro Mizsan, now 11, suffered horrific injuries to his face, body and legs during the attack which happened while he was playing with friends on a green area of an estate on November 29, 2022.
He had to be airlifted to Crumlin Hospital in Dublin by the Coast Guards where he underwent several operations. Wexford Circuit Court heard he will require intensive ongoing treatment.
In sentencing the pair, Judge McCourt said “no matter what I do I cannot restore the child’s life to his pre-traumatic life.
“We read about pitbull terriers and unfortunate incidents like this happen too often so there has to be deterrents.”
(Image: Mick O’Neill)
The judge sentenced Miller, who has six previous road traffic convictions, to three years in prison with the final 12 months suspended.
He sentenced Byrne, who has 68 previous convictions to three years in prison and gave him credit for 12 months he has already spent in custody.
Expressing his sympathy to Alejandro and his family, the judge thanked them for attending court.
“You had a beautiful child and you still have a beautiful child and obviously a brave young man.
“This is a small step for a long road ahead and my sympathies, blessings and good wishes to you and especially Alejandro,” the judge said.
Speaking outside court his brother Raul said: “There is nothing that can change what happened to my brother. At the moment he is recovering step by step. Mentally it’s very hard, it’s very hard for him looking in the mirror.
“He is always asking is it going to be like this for life”.
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This story first appeared on Radio Today