Man and woman face sentencing in connection with dog attack on nine-year-old boy

Alejandro, who turned 10 in February last, suffered horrific injuries in the attack and will require intensive ongoing treatment

Alejandro Mizsan from Forgeland, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, with his sister Esterd, father Florin, mother Otilid, and brother Raul. Picture: Jim Campbell

A man and woman, charged in connection with a dog attack that left a nine-year-old boy with serious facial injuries, will be sentenced on February 1.

Karen Miller, with an address of Forgelands, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, and Niall Byrne, also with an address in Forgelands, appeared before Judge James McCourt at Wexford Circuit Criminal Court on Thursday.

Miller had pleaded guilty to two charges of endangerment in relation to the pit bull attack on Alejandro Mizsan, and a separate attack on another child four days earlier, on November 23, 2022.

Alejandro's Mizsan will require intensive ongoing treatment. Picture: Jim Campbell

Byrne has pleaded guilty to the inhumane destruction of an animal, and is also charged with two offences of making threats to kill.

When the defendants appeared before the November sitting of the court, Byrne was remanded in continuing custody, and Miller on bail until Thursday's sitting for sentencing.

When the case was called before Judge McCourt, prosecuting solicitor, Brendan Curran, told the court that Probation Reports were ready in respect of the defendants.

Jordan Fletcher, B.L., said the Probation Report in respect of Miller was ready. Judge McCourt also ordered the release of the Probation Report in relation to Byrne. Mr Curran said the sentencing hearing would take an hour to one-and-a-half hours.

Judge McCourt said that if the Probation Report on Niall Byrne is ready he ordered the report to be released. Judge McCourt remanded Byrne in continuing custody and Miller on bail until February 1 next, for sentencing.

During the course of the incident the young boy was attacked by an XL Bully dog while playing outside his home in Enniscorthy last November. The young boy has since returned to school.

Alejandro who turned 10 in February last suffered horrific injuries in the attack and spent weeks in hospital in Dublin. He will require intensive ongoing treatment.

The attack occurred as the young boy was playing outside his home in the Old Forge area of the town. Such was the ferocity of the attack the young boy was airlifted to Crumlin Children's Hospital in Dublin where he was treated for serious injuries.