03-07-2025
Man (25) banned from owning dogs after attacking man he thought was trying to steal his pitbull
Brandon Hanmore of Elmfort, Williamstown Road, Castlerea, Co Roscommon, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and assault causing harm to Aigars Zalais who was attacked by Hanmore's pit bull on September 23, 2021, at Shannonvalley, Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon.
At approximately 7pm, Mr Zalais attempted to restrain the dog when he was then approached by Hanmore, who accused him of trying to steal his dog.
Hanmore and three others proceeded to attack Mr Zalais in front of his wife, who attempted to intervene as her husband was struck in arms, legs, hips and jaw.
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His wife called the gardaí and the ambulance service, who arrived at the scene and conveyed him to Mayo University Hospital in Castlebar.
He was assessed by doctors and was found to have sustained multiple blows to his body and a cracked tooth.
Mr Zalais (44) did not suffer any loss of consciousness or headaches but had to be prescribed analgesic medication before being discharged from hospital.
Wednesday's sitting of Roscommon Circuit Court heard that Mr Zalais was left extremely traumatised and afraid after the incident.
The court heard that Hanmore had no previous convictions at the time of the offence but was said to be at moderate risk of reoffending. Hanmore has not come to adverse garda attention since the offence.
Judge Kenneth Connolly imposed a headline sentence of 28 months in prison. He then reduced the sentence to 21 months before suspending it in its entirety for two years.
Describing the assault as 'extremely violent' and 'completely unprovoked' Judge Connolly took account of Hanmore's early guilty plea and that he had not come to garda attention since the incident.
Noting his willingness to pay compensation to the victim, Judge Connolly ordered Hanmore to pay €2,500 to Mr Zalais.
The 25-year-old was placed under the supervision of the probation services for one year to help him deal with his addiction issues.
Judge Connolly also ordered him not to own any canine animals for four years.
