All four dogs belonging to woman killed by her XL Bully on her birthday have been destroyed, police reveal – as victim's sister leads emotional family vigil with hundreds of balloons released

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  • Nicole Morey was savaged by her dogs at home in Limerick on Tuesday night

Four dogs found at the house of an Irish woman who was mauled to death have been killed by authorities, it emerged last night, as mourners held a touching vigil and released balloons in memory of the victim.

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

The moment she stepped into her house she was pounced upon by two of her four dogs, one of which is an XL Bully and all four of which are all understood to be restricted breeds. 

Armed police who descended on the scene were forced to shoot one of the dogs dead, while the others were subdued with pepper spray – but by the time they arrived Ms Morey is said to have lost an arm and been savaged to death. 

A Garda source last night confirmed that ‘all four’ dogs had since been ‘destroyed’ by the authorities, as more than 200 people attended a vigil held in memory of Ms Morey, at her mother Lisa Morey’s house at Bawnmore View, Crossagalla, Limerick.

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

Nicole Morey, 23, died after she was attacked by her pet in the Fedamore area of Limerick on Tuesday

Nicole Morey, 23, died after she was attacked by her pet in the Fedamore area of Limerick on Tuesday

She often posted videos of her pets on social media

She often posted videos of her pets on social media

Heartbreaking video has emerged of her with the animal in happier times, dancing together
Heartbreaking video has emerged of her with the animal in happier times, dancing together

Heartbreaking video has emerged of her with her pet in happier times, dancing together

Ms Morey's sister, Jolene Morey, led a countdown at the vigil before hundreds of coloured balloons were released into the sky and a selection of Ms Morey's favourite songs were played on a loud speaker

Ms Morey’s sister, Jolene Morey, led a countdown at the vigil before hundreds of coloured balloons were released into the sky and a selection of Ms Morey’s favourite songs were played on a loud speaker

Mourners held a touching vigil and released balloons in memory of the victim

Mourners held a touching vigil and released balloons in memory of the victim

The man who alerted the emergency services to the fatal dog attack ‘did all he possibly could’ to help her, sources close to the investigation into her death said yesterday.

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‘Her XL Bullies were her babies but they’re bred to kill’: Family describe horror mauling

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The man had access to a security camera video feed of the scene of the attack, but was not at the scene and was not physically able to assist Ms Morey, who was dead by the time police arrived.

After calling 999, which in turn alerted gardaí and paramedics, the man then shared the CCTV footage with the victim’s family – in order to alert them to the incident.

‘The individual that had access to the [footage], and that saw the incident occur, was not in the vicinity of the house, and was largely helpless, so they contacted the emergency services first,’ the source said.

The footage was widely shared online after that by unknown parties, sparking a Garda appeal on Wednesday asking people ‘not to share these videos, out of respect for the deceased’. 

A senior Garda source confirmed yesterday that ‘all four’ dogs were included on a ‘restricted dog breeding list’ and are all banned in the UK. 

However, no such ban exists in Ireland.

The senior source confirmed that Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margot Bolster conducted a postmortem on the body of Ms Morey yesterday.

The source said the autopsy results were ‘not being released for operational reasons’, although gardaí did not suspect any foul play in Ms Morey’s death.

XL Bully owner Nicole Morey was killed by her dog when she had just come in from a night out

XL Bully owner Nicole Morey was killed by her dog when she had just come in from a night out

Ms Morey is pictured with two pets. It is not known if either of the dogs pictured were involved

Ms Morey is pictured with two pets. It is not known if either of the dogs pictured were involved

Nicole Morey was savaged by the dog at a house in Co. Limerick at around 11.40pm on Tuesday

Nicole Morey was savaged by the dog at a house in Co. Limerick at around 11.40pm on Tuesday

The 23-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene following the attack on Tuesday night

The 23-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene following the attack on Tuesday night

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

The senior Garda source said gardaí were aware of speculation about the circumstances of the fatal dog attack. There was no evidence to suggest any foul play was involved, they said.

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

Members of Ms Morey’s family wept and comforted one another under a canopy of multi-coloured balloons last night. 

Ms Morey’s death has sparked a debate about whether dogs such as the XL Bully, which was suspected of being involved in her death, should be banned.

Rural affairs Minister Heather Humphreys has responsibility for the decision, and she set up the Stakeholder Group on Dog Control in March. She has said she will introduce bans on certain breeds if it is recommended by the group.

However, she said she does not expect the group’s recommendations until the autumn.

Since it was established in March, the group has met only once, with another meeting due this month.

Sources in the group have said they are actively considering whether a ban should be placed on certain breeds of dogs, as has been done in Britain and the North.

However, others in the group have indicated it is a ‘hot topic’, and ‘it is not a simple black and white issue, with knock-on effects for any decision’.

Due to cross-breeding of dogs, strains of banned dogs can be present in dogs not explicitly on the banned list.