BREANDAN COLEMAN FROM CRAIGAVON SENTENCED FOR DOG'S DEATH AT IRISH GAME FAIR IN ANTRIM

In June 2018, a tragic incident unfolded at Shane's Castle in Antrim, where a black Patterdale terrier lost its life due to heatstroke after being left unattended in a vehicle by Breandan Coleman. Coleman, a resident of Drumnagoon Meadows, Portadown, Craigavon BT63, was later found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to the animal and neglecting to take reasonable steps to meet its needs.

According to court proceedings, the vehicle was parked in an open area at the Irish Game Fair, with no other cars nearby. The windows of the car were fully open, and the vehicle was rocked to activate the alarm. Despite these measures, the dog was discovered dead, and two women who approached the scene reported that there was no air circulating inside the car. They attempted CPR in a desperate effort to revive the animal, but unfortunately, their efforts were unsuccessful.

Prosecutor Jennifer Gilpin, representing the local council, detailed the events, stating that Coleman had returned to check on the dog and claimed he had been away for no more than half an hour. A veterinary report revealed that the outside temperature was approximately 23 degrees Celsius, while the temperature inside the vehicle was around 27 degrees Celsius. The report further indicated that the temperature within the car would have risen to approximately 32 degrees Celsius after just thirty minutes, which contributed to the dog's death from heatstroke.

Ms. Gilpin emphasized that the veterinarian concluded the cause of death was heatstroke, highlighting the tragic consequences of Coleman’s neglect. During the court hearing, Coleman’s defense argued that he is an animal lover with lifelong experience caring for animals. His lawyer stated that Coleman is well-known within animal circles and regularly participates as a judge in animal competitions.

The court also heard that Coleman was serving a suspended sentence for an unrelated assault on a first responder, and that the incident involving the dog occurred prior to that conviction. District Judge Nigel Broderick acknowledged the emotional trauma caused by the dog's death but emphasized the seriousness of the incident. He stated that the dog suffered unnecessarily, which ultimately led to its death.

In sentencing, Coleman received a three-month jail term, suspended for one year, along with costs of £337. Additionally, he was banned from owning or keeping any animals for a period of ten years, a ban that will expire in October 2030. The court’s decision underscores the importance of animal welfare and the consequences of neglectful behavior in such cases.