Balloons released at vigil for Limerick woman killed in dog attack

Over 200 people attend the event to remember Nicole Morey

Balloons released in memory of Nicole Morey who was killed after a dog attack on Tuesday. Picture: Brendan Gleeson

Hundreds of balloons were released into the evening sky at a Limerick vigil to remember Nicole Morey, who died after a dog attack on Tuesday.

The vigil at the home of the 23-year-old’s mother, Lisa Morey, in Crossagalla, Limerick, was attended by over 200 people on Thursday.

Ms Morey’s sister Jolene Morey led a countdown at the vigil before hundreds of coloured balloons were released into the sky as a selection of Ms Morey’s favourite songs were played on a loudspeaker.

Jolene previously wrote on Facebook that she had “only hung up” the phone to her sister “two seconds” before she was fatally attacked.

“I really tried my best to help,” she wrote. “I’m so sorry Nicole. I love you so much it feels like a bad dream.”

Nicole's mother Lisa Morey attended the event with family members.

Members of Ms Morey’s family wept and comforted one another as neighbours and friends embraced them and each other under a canopy of multicoloured balloons.

Ms Morey, a native of Limerick City, had returned to a home she was renting in Fedamore, Co Limerick, around 11.30pm last Tuesday night after celebrating her 23rd birthday.

When she turned the keys in the house she was attacked by the dogs.

Gardaí shot one dog at this scene and restrained the other three which were taken into the custody of a dog warden, but were all later destroyed.

Despite valiant efforts by the emergency services to save Ms Morey, she was pronounced dead at the scene.

A senior Garda source has confirmed that all four dogs were breeds that are included on a “restricted dog breeding list” and are all banned in the UK. However no such ban exists in Ireland.

The source said gardaí were aware of wild speculation being spread around the circumstances of the fatal dog attack.

'No foul play suspected'

This speculation has not been helpful to the investigation and there was no evidence to suggest any foul play was involved, the source said.

The investigation into Ms Morey’s death is continuing, led by Roxboro Road Garda Station.

First responders to the tragic and violent incident have been offered welfare services to help cope with the trauma.