“The dogs loved Nicole, but they turned against her” – sister of woman (23) killed by her dogs says new laws are not strict enough

Nicole (23), who lived in Fedamore, Co Limerick, was killed by the dogs as she returned home from her 23rd birthday celebrations. A new law, prompted by his death, will make it illegal to import, breed or sell XL bully dogs from October 1.

Speaking publicly for the first time, her sister Jolene will tell Katie Hannon that the laws introduced are not tough enough.

“The law they come out with, you have to have a permit, you have to have papers… But my sister had them all. Nicole loved these dogs. And the dogs loved Nicole, but they turned on her,” she said.

Another law, due to come into force on February 1, 2025, will make it illegal to own an XL bully dog ​​without a certificate of exemption from a local authority.

Ms Morey will also speak in the interview about the night her sister died and her attempts to contact her after hearing the news.

News in 90 seconds – Sunday September 29, 2024

“I was sitting in my room in the dark and I called Nicole because I didn’t believe it was real. Then I texted him, I said, “Are you okay?” And I didn’t receive any messages in return. And then a video was sent to me. And they asked me if it was with my sister. And I just remember clicking on a video and seeing it on the floor.

“I was just waiting for the phone call to tell me she was gone because I had the feeling in my stomach that she hadn’t survived. But my mother was like, “No, it’s just bites and stuff.” » Then my uncle called and I knew, thanks to his voice, that she was gone.

Ms Morey said her family did not want Nicole to be remembered solely for her death or the circumstances surrounding it.

“My family wants Nicole to be remembered as a good person. Not the girl who died after a dog attack or the videos that go viral. Nicole has been so successful in life. Nicole would do anything for anyone. She’s just a lovely person.”

Upfront with Katie Hannon airs tonight at 10.35pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.