Credit: Dlexus, CC BY-SA 4.0

At present, no breeds of dog are banned in Ireland. There is a list of 11 restricted dog breeds — including the XL Bully — which are subject to certain controls, including that they must be muzzled and kept on a short leash in public.

However, rural and community development minister Heather Humphreys yesterday said she believes “we need to go further”.

She pointed out that XL Bully dogs were involved in a fatal attack on Limerick woman Nicole Morey last week, and a brutal attack on nine-year-old Alejandro Mizsan in Wexford a year ago.

Mrs Humphreys told the Seanad: “The UK have taken steps which mean since February it has been a criminal offence to own an XL bully. Northern Ireland are now looking at introducing similar restrictions.

“As somebody from the border region, I don’t think we should be out of step with Northern Ireland on this.”

The minister said she is “consulting with the Attorney General on how a ban on the XL Bully would work in Ireland and what legislative changes may be required to give effect to this — that work is underway”.

She added: “We are also looking at other countries like Denmark and France who have implemented similar bans to see what we can learn from their experience and how it is working on the ground.

“The ban of the XL Bully in the UK has been the subject of a judicial review so it’s important we get this right.”