Karen Saunderson (68), with an address in England, and formerly of The Stables, Templelusk, Avoca, Co. Wicklow, was given a four-and-a-half year suspended prison sentence, banned from owning animals for life, and ordered to pay €15,000 in costs at Bray Circuit Court,(Thursday 29th May 2025)

Ms Saunderson had previously pleaded guilty to ten charges, under sections 11, 12 and 13 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 (AHWA).

The case related to a total of 43 animals removed from the defendant’s property on Friday 18th November 2016, following a complaint made to the ISPCA’s National Animal Cruelty Helpline.