HORRIFIC ANIMAL CRUELTY CASE INVOLVING JEREMIAH, WAYNE AND CHRIS KIRKWOOD AND JAMIE MORROW IN BELFAST

In a case that has shocked animal welfare advocates and the local community alike, four men from Belfast—Jeremiah Samuel Kirkwood, his sons Wayne Kirkwood and Chris Kirkwood, and their accomplice Jamie Edward Morrow—were convicted of a series of heinous animal cruelty offences. The crimes, which involved deliberate acts of violence and neglect towards animals, were committed at their residence on 11 Island Street and other locations within Belfast.

Jeremiah Kirkwood, also known as Jerry, along with his sons Wayne, born on August 5, 1993, and Chris, born on August 10, 1990, were found guilty of multiple charges related to animal baiting and fighting. The offences included keeping animals specifically for fighting purposes, possessing equipment associated with animal fights, and allowing a cat to be brutally torn apart by trained fighting dogs. Additionally, they admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to four puppies and maintaining equipment such as traps used in illegal fighting activities.

The case was described by welfare officers as one of the most disturbing instances of animal cruelty they had encountered. The trio pleaded guilty to keeping four bull lurcher dogs for fighting, and all of these adult dogs, which exhibited injuries consistent with fighting, were subsequently seized and destroyed by police authorities. The investigation also uncovered four terrier cross puppies, only three weeks old, found under a heat lamp without their mother, with their tails docked—a clear indication of illegal animal mutilation. Veterinary medicines and surgical tools used for treating wounds were recovered from the property, further highlighting the severity of the abuse.

In a particularly gruesome detail, police found a cat that had been trapped in a cage and was being set upon by dogs, with footage recovered from a mobile phone showing the animals tearing the cat apart. Another disturbing video depicted the same dogs attacking a badger. These incidents all took place in November 2011, and the investigation into these crimes spanned over two years, culminating in the conviction.

Jamie Morrow, of 8 Oakdene Drive, Belfast, was also implicated in the case. He admitted to keeping or training a whippet cross Staffordshire bull terrier for fighting, and a dog named Princess was found at his residence. The police found additional evidence, including a trap, surgical cutting equipment, and veterinary medicines, which pointed to a systematic pattern of illegal fighting activities.

Detective Inspector Peter Mullan, who led the investigation, expressed his dismay at the court’s sentencing. He revealed that the case was initiated after police recovered video footage from a mobile device, showing dogs being set upon a trapped cat and a badger, acts that exemplify the extreme cruelty inflicted upon innocent animals. The offences occurred in November 2011, and the investigation took over two years to bring to court.

The Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (USPCA) condemned the acts, describing the cruelty as “wickedness at its worst.” Stephen Philpott, the charity’s chief executive, praised the police for their efforts and called the case one of the most egregious examples of premeditated animal abuse they had encountered in recent years. East Belfast MP Naomi Long also voiced her outrage, describing the footage as horrific and emphasizing that such brutality has no place in a civilized society. She expressed her relief that the case had been brought to justice, though she lamented the light sentences handed down.

Despite the severity of the crimes, all four defendants—Jeremiah, Wayne, Chris Kirkwood, and Jamie Morrow—were sentenced to six months in prison or young offender centers, suspended for two years. They were also disqualified from owning or controlling animals for ten years, a period that will expire in January 2024. The adult dogs involved in fighting were ordered to be destroyed, and the puppies were placed in new homes. The court proceedings saw the defendants surrounded by prison officers as they entered the dock, dressed in tracksuits, with some supporters present in the gallery.

Jeremiah Kirkwood, who is married and has four sons, has a long history of criminal activity, including 17 court appearances since 1984 for various offences such as traffic violations, dishonesty, and disorderly conduct. He has struggled with alcohol dependency since his 30s. His sons, Wayne and Chris, have their own criminal records, including convictions for causing actual bodily harm, making threats to kill, and possessing offensive weapons. Wayne also has learning difficulties and a history of cannabis use.

Judge McColgan emphasized that the adult fighting dogs would be destroyed and that the puppies had already been rehomed. The sentences handed down were suspended for two years, and the defendants were disqualified from keeping animals for ten years, a period that will conclude in January 2024. The case has left a lasting impact on the community and highlights ongoing concerns about animal cruelty in Belfast.