CONVICTED (2014) | Jeremiah Samuel Kirkwood and sons Wayne Kirkwood (08/05/1993) and Chris Kirkwood (08/10/1990), all of 11 Island Street, Belfast BT4 1DH and Jamie Edward Morrow (31/03/1994) of 8 Oakdene Drive, Belfast BT4 1LD – multiple cruelty offences relating to animal baiting and fighting

Jeremiah (Jerry) Kirkwood, sons Wayne and Chris (Chrisy) Kirkwood and accomplice Jamie Morrow were charged with a variety of offences including:

• keeping animals for fighting
• being in possession of equipment connected with animal fights
• allowing a cat to be torn to shreds by dogs
• causing unnecessary suffering to four puppies

In what was described as one of the vilest animal cruelty cases ever seen by welfare officers, the Kirkwoods admitted allowing a cat to be torn to shreds by dogs trained to fight.

The trio pleaded guilty to keeping four bull lurcher dogs for fighting.

They also admitted causing unnecessary suffering to four terrier cross puppies and to keeping equipment for use in animal fights, including a trap.

Charges against two other Kirkwood brothers – Gary Kirkwood (now deceased) and Ryan Samuel Kirkwood (27/05/1992) – were dropped due to insufficient evidence. Their mother Cathy Kirkwood (22/08/1970) was acquitted.

At the Kirkwood property police found kennels with adult bull lurcher dogs inside.

Animal cruelty experts noted the dogs had injuries consistent with the type expected during fights.

Four three-week-old bull terrier puppies were found under a heat lamp without their mother. Their tails were docked. An animal trap, surgical cutting equipment and prescribed veterinary medicine for treating wounds were also recovered.

Another dog, Princess, was found at the home of co-accused
Jamie Edward Morrow, who admitted keeping or training a whippet cross Staffordshire bull terrier for fighting.

Detective Inspector Peter Mullan said the police investigation had taken over two years, beginning when video footage was recovered from a mobile phone.

One clip showed dogs being set on a cat that had been trapped in a cage. A detective said the cat was being “literally torn apart by dogs”.

In another, the same dogs were set on a badger.

All offences happened in November 2011.

The Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (USPCA) said the savagery inflicted on innocent animals by the Kirkwoods and Morrow was “wickedness at its worst”.

Chief executive Stephen Philpott said it was “one of the vilest examples of premeditated abuse” the charity had come across in years and he thanked the PSNI for bringing the case to court.

East Belfast MP Naomi Long said she was disgusted to learn of the case: “I have seen some of the footage which formed part of this case and it was horrific to say the least. By all accounts, it was one of the worst cases of animal cruelty brought to courts and it stuns me that people could be so callous towards the creatures involved.

“This kind of vile brutality towards animals should have no place in a decent society. I cannot comprehend the mind of a person who could bring themselves to partake in such appallingly cruel behaviour.

Ms Long added: “I am pleased this barbaric practice has been stopped in this case and my thoughts are with not only the animals tortured and killed and their owners, but also with the dogs used in these attacks, as they too have been horrifically abused and brutalised.”

Despite the horrific nature of their crimes, all four men walked free from court after being handed suspended sentences.

Police spent months investigating the family and preparing the case against them, but were left dismayed by the light sentence.

Detective inspector Pete Mullan said: “We are very disappointed at the outcome. We fully respect the decision of the court but are disappointed nonetheless.

“This type of crime can receive a custodial sentence of up to two years and given the horrific nature of this particular incident we would have envisaged a sentence that would have acted as a greater deterrent.”

Democratic Unionist Stormont assembly member Jim Wells said: “The public will be outraged that the Kirkwoods, who were involved in horrendous acts of animal cruelty, were let off today with suspended sentences.

“This was the first test of new animal welfare legislation which for the first time permitted the court to impose a custodial sentence for those involved in high levels of cruelty.

“The judge in this case totally failed to send out a clear message that society will no longer tolerate the torture of animals.

“This sentence should be immediately referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions for review on the basis that it is much too lenient given the very disturbing facts surrounding this dreadful case.”

The four defendants were surrounded by prison officers as they were led into the dock in handcuffs. They were dressed in tracksuits and at least one wore an earring. A crowd of supporters in muscle T-shirts and tracksuits sat in the public gallery.

Jeremiah Kirkwood is married with four sons. He made 17 court appearances between 1984 and last year for 24 offences, mostly traffic-related but also involving dishonesty and disorderly behaviour. He has been dependent on alcohol since he was aged in his 30s, the judge said.

Wayne Kirkwood has three convictions for causing actual bodily harm, making threats to kill and possession of an offensive weapon. He has learning difficulties and a history of cannabis use.

Judge McColgan sentenced them to six-month sentences in prison or young offender centres, suspended for two years. They were also disqualified from keeping, owning or controlling animals for ten years.

She said the adult dogs would be destroyed and the puppies have been found homes.

Sentences: six-month sentences in prison or young offender centres, suspended for two years. Disqualified from keeping, owning or controlling animals for ten years (expires January 2024).

BBC News