1 week agoLatest NewsComments Off on Katya Jones sparks Strictly quit fears as pals reveal she feels ‘betrayed and let down’ over Wynne axe
STRICTLY fans fear Katya Jones could quit the BBC dance show amid the Wynne Evans fallout.
The dancer was left blindsided when the decision was made for the opera singer to take a step back – after months of them working hard together.
SplashKatya Jones is said to be feeling ‘betrayed’ after Wynne Evans’ Strictly axe[/caption]
SplashFriends of the star fear the latest scandal could prompt her to quit Strictly[/caption]
bbcKatya has thrown her support behind her Welsh singer Wynne[/caption]
Sources close to the star say she is feeling ‘betrayed’ by both Strictly bosses and the fans, who have turned their back on him.
An insider said: “Katya is really upset about what has happened and feel like it’s all been blown out of proportion.
“She was shocked that bosses hauled Wynne in and feels like they have been thrown under the bus.
“Her friends are worried this is making her fall out of love with the show and wonder if she will do it again next year. There is only so much drama she can take.”
The insider added: “On top of that she really feels that fans of the show had her back but she’s been horrified by things people have been saying about Wynne.”
Katya’s best pal Aimee Fuller has rushed to be her side and is now supporting her through this very difficult period.
The Sun has contacted Katya’s rep for comment.
Earlier today, Katya expressed her upset online as she wrote in a simple Instagram post: “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.”
She has also urged goading fans to show “humanity” towards her celebrity dance partner Wynne.
It comes after an incredibly tough week for the Go Compare singer.
Wynne was axed from the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour after he was caught on camera making a sexual jibe towards his co-star.
The Welsh opera star used the derogatory term “spit roast” during a photo call for the tour earlier this month.
Wynne reportedly made a suggestive face at EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick as the tour’s host Janette Manrara moved between them and allegedly made the so-called joke.
The incident came to light last weekend but Wynne still took to the stage for the tour that night in Glasgow.
However he entertained the crowd by singing and did not dance, citing an ‘ankle injury’.
BBC and Strictly Live producers said: “We have made it clear to Wynne we do not tolerate such behaviour on tour.”
Janette’s spokeswoman, meanwhile, said she had been “unaware of this comment.”
On Tuesday, however, the BBC confirmed that Wynne would be stepping back from both his BBC Radio Wales show and the Strictly tour.
Apologising in a statement, Wynne said: “I’ve agreed with the BBC that l’ll take some time out from my radio show and the Strictly Live tour, as well as my other public commitments, to prioritise my wellbeing.
“I am deeply sorry for the pain my inappropriate actions have caused, and plan to take this time for self-reflection.
“Apologies to those I won’t get to see at the remaining performances and I’m grateful to my fellow tour gang for all the amazing support they have given me.”
‘MY DARLING BOY’
Wynne has received a massive backlash from fans on social media, prompting Katya to step in and call for calm.
The Russian dancer re-shared Wynne’s apology on her Instagram Stories and wrote: “Let’s show humanity and consideration.”
Last year, Wynne and Katya were forced to say sorry for a “joke” that saw her move his hand from her waist during a live episode of Strictly Come Dancing.
In another moment, the dancer appeared to not want to high-five her celebrity partner, which they later brushed off as “a running joke”.
At the time, upset Wynne told his Radio Wales listeners: “I’m absolutely heartbroken by the things that have been written about me in the last day.
“It’s not nice to live in that time, but basically Katya and I are really, really close and we’re really good friends, and on Saturday night we made a stupid joke.
“It was a stupid joke that went wrong, OK? We thought it was funny. It wasn’t funny.
“It was been totally misinterpreted.”
RexKatya and Wynne have been working together for months[/caption]
The Mega AgencyThe pair had been performing across the UK for the Strictly Live Tour[/caption]
BBCLast year, they found themselves embroiled in a ‘grope’ scandal[/caption]
1 week agoLatest NewsComments Off on Why Andoni Iraola’s ultra-aggressive Bournemouth are underachieving and could force Liverpool to switch tactics
BOURNEMOUTH have defied expectations to be one of the Premier League’s great heavy-hitting underdogs so far this season.
Under Andoni Iraola’s tutelage, the Cherries find themselves 7th in the league and on a 12-match unbeaten run in all competitions.
GettyBournemouth are flying high as one of the Premier League’s surprise packages[/caption]
GettyAndoni Iraola’s aggressive style has ensured Bournemouth can punch above their weight[/caption]
RexBut will they manage to cope against the heavy-hitters of table-topping Liverpool[/caption]
However, when looking at the underlying numbers, Bournemouth unbelievably appear to have room to get even better.
Their game model and style have highlighted a tale of smart recruitment paired with savvy tactics reminiscent of Leeds at their best under Marcelo Bielsa.
This weekend sees the south coast outfit take on their toughest test of the lot in Liverpool, so how can might they look to foil Arne Slot‘s table toppers.
A suffocating press
Bournemouth football this season has caught many by surprise with how aggressive and front-footed it is.
While many clubs lower down the league might be content to accept their limitations and play within themselves against the top sides, Bournemouth have no such fears.
Instead they are exceptionally disciplined and hardworking out of possession while being brave in their approach and the way they look to prevent the opposition from playing out from the back.
The key for Iraola and Bournemouth is players are willing to step right-up as the opposition look to find ways to progress the ball from their defensive third.
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Iraola almost exclusively has lined his side up in a 4-2-3-1 system this season.
The striker and the three advanced midfielders will press and be aggressive while the two deeper midfielders take charge of defending the space and step high to press and follow opposition players deep.
When they are pressing and working against the ball in these kind of areas they put numbers into central areas and cut off any easy passing options into the middle of the pitch.
This can mean that their wide midfielders come inside and narrow off leaving the opposition fullbacks in more space.
Here, Bournemouth’s set up against Newcastle has two wide attacking midfielders would step inside with support from one of the two deep midfielders
While this does appear to give the opposition a chance to play out and into space it is a deliberate act as Bournemouth are hoping to force the opposition to play quickly to one of their fullbacks.
In the match against Liverpool there will be an inherent risk in possibly freeing up Trent Alexander-Arnold to receive due to his excellent passing ability.
As one of the Bournemouth wide attackers narrow off, at least one midfield player will be instructed to pick Alexander-Arnold up man to man to prevent this risk.
Liverpool are a team that are more used to having space and time in the initial phase of their build-up.
Against similar tactics from Brentford Liverpool were forced to go long Liverpool
Teams generally sit off and allow the central defenders in particular to have the ball and as such Liverpool do not typically go long.
Bournemouth will react and work aggressively to press high and force mistakes or longer passes from Liverpool as they look to turn the ball over quickly.
Aggressive counter attacks
While the overarching principle we see from Iraola’s side out of possession is to be aggressive in winning the ball back as high up the pitch as possible, this also informs one of their key attacking principles.
When you watch Bournemouth they will look to regain possession before quickly releasing numbers into attacking positions to create overloads and take advantage of the opposition being caught off balance.
Bournemouth tend to release one of their deeper midfielders and, at times, both of their fullbacks as they really look to aggressively send players forward to quickly attack on the counter.
Here, Bournemouth win the ball back and quickly play forward with numbers
Liverpool are used to being the dominant attacking team in their matches so will likely seek to push players higher.
This will represent an opportunity for Bournemouth to quickly attack on the counter or in transition, with a devastating array of options.
This aggressive counter attacking style not only comes down to having players making forward runs to quickly attack an unbalanced defence, but also in them looking for aggressive forward passes to release these runners.
Bournemouth are not a team who typically look to reset and retain possession.
They average the 6th lowest possession in the league – 46.1 per cent – and this is because they want to quickly attack the opposition with aggressive passes whenever they regain possession.
This very deliberate attacking style is designed to take advantage the opposition not being organised defensively.
By attacking quickly in this manner Bournemouth can exploit this lack of defensive organisation.
This extends to Liverpool who are willing to trust the pace of their defenders to get back into defensive positions in order to defend against the counter attack.
Liverpool are happy to push players high which can leave them open to transitions
Bournemouth will be brave and aggressive in terms of quickly looking to attack Liverpool on the counter attack.
It will be fascinating to see whether Slot adapts his tactics to ensure at least one of the fullbacks remains deep to protect the space Iraola’s side will look to attack into.
Shots, shots, shots
Bournemouth, little old Bournemouth, are currently generating the third most shots per 90 in the Premier League.
They are taking on average 16 shots per 90 minutes and 5.57 per 90, which marks them fourth.
When you take this in the context of having a bottom half output in terms of ball possession it’s easy to see why Bournemouth are so dangerous.
What is interesting when you look closely at Bournemouth is they can generate attacking situations and shots from a variety of areas of the pitch and from a variety of players.
Sheer quantity of options ensures Bournemouth generate a lot of shooting opportunities
They are not a team heavily reliant on a single player for shot output and the majority of their shots come from open play and not from attacking set pieces.
Indeed, their non-penalty Expected Goals value of 38.5 puts them fourth best in the division, while including penalty’s put them up to an xG value of 44 and the third best in the league.
The one drawback to the Cherries is their below average finishing quality, with Bournemouth scoring three goals fewer than their xG marking them as a below average team of finishers.
It is interesting to note just how many shots per game we see Bournemouth generate that are taken first-time.
This is a result of the amount of times they have the ball in the channels in the final third.
With runners coming from deeper areas and flooding space we see a lot of low crosses and cut backs that result in shooting chances from around the area.
The issue Iraola and Bournemouth may find is they are coming up against the team with the best defensive record in the league in terms of shots conceded per 90 minutes.
Liverpool are conceding just 9.36 shots per 90, and just 3.26 on target per 90.
They are effective in forcing the opposition to take shots from areas that are less likely to result in goals, with an xG conceded value against of just 0.87 per 90.
But Liverpool are perfectly capable of organising themselves quickly even when in transition
It will be interesting to see whether the threat Bournemouth pose in attacking transitions and the way that they generate shooting opportunities forces Liverpool to change what they have been doing.
In most instances a side like Liverpool would be more likely to keep to their tactical structure that has been working so well.
This might not be the case against a Bournemouth side that are looking incredibly dangerous at the moment.
Conclusion
This coming Sunday’s match at home to Liverpool will be incredibly important for Bournemouth.
A win or even a draw would, it feels like, set Bournemouth up for a real run at a top four position come the end of the season.
This could also provide some valuable insight into Slot as a coach.
Will he adapt his style of play or stick with the core beliefs that have got him, and Liverpool, to this point.
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1 week agoLatest NewsComments Off on Beauty queen, 21, dies suddenly as tributes to ‘amazing’ & ‘beautiful’ mental health advocate pour in
A 21-YEAR-OLD beauty queen has died suddenly as tributes flood in for the “amazing” woman.
The nurse, based in Minehead, Somerset, had dedicated her platform to mental health awareness after a losing a friend to suicide.
Royal UK Pageants announced the tragic news on Saturday, January 25, writing: “It is with a heavy heart we announce the passing of our Miss Royal Somerset Chloe.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends at this difficult time.
“Rest in peace Queen, forever Miss Royal Somerset”.
Tributes have flooded in for the beauty queen with many taking to social media to share heartfelt messages.
SomersetLive/BPMChloe Roberts, a 21-year-old nurse and pageant queen, has died suddenly[/caption]
More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online
Thesun.co.uk is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.
1 week agoEng Sub, Malaysia TvComments Off on Langit Ke Tujuh Live Episode 4 Tonton Video Drama
Watch Langit Ke Tujuh Episod 4 Full HD Online Free | Mega Drama on Astro Ria Tonton Mega Drama Langit Ke Tujuh Episod 4 Full HD Video Online Free. Basahjeruk9, Kepala Bergetar Terkini Astro Ria Drama Langit Ke Tujuh Live Episod 4 Video In High Quality. Watch & Download Myflm4u Drama Langit Ke Tujuh Dan …
1 week agoLatest NewsComments Off on Three-time divorcee Christina Hall admits she jumps into relationships that ‘aren’t right’ too quickly: I do ‘stupid things’
“I feel like I try to hide and act like I’m not affected but then I just do more stupid things to try to make myself feel better,” she said.
1 week agoLatest NewsComments Off on Limited edition Ferrari so rare only 17 in the WORLD exist set to fetch jaw-dropping £2.5M at auction
A VERY rare Ferrari that’s one of just 17 that exists in the world is ready to sell for a hefty sum at an upcoming auction.
The brilliantly named Ferrari Superamerica 400 SWB coupe Aerodinamico, finished in royal blue – contrasting the typical red Rosso Corsa finish – is up for £2.5 million.
A stunning, royal blue-coloured Ferrari is set to sell next month for £2.5 millionmediadrumimagesmediadrumimagesThe car has undergone an £80,000 cosmetic refresh, conducted in mid-2023[/caption]
mediadrumimagesIt’s won numerous awards, including a score of 99.5 points awarded by judges at the 2006 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance[/caption]
The eye-catching motor, which features open headlamps and a groundbreaking aerodynamic style, including a tapered nose, delicate fender curves, and a sloping rear fastback, was built in 1961.
It was designed specifically for the American market – embodying the ultimate driving luxury and exceptional performance for the time thanks to its Colombo-designed V-12 engine that produces 340 bhp.
It’s to be sold in exceptional condition, both inside and out, as interior shots show the car’s round dials and gauges, as well as its wooden steering wheel and a black and tan leather cabin.
Renowned auction house RM Sotheby’s, who are dealing with the car’s sale, say it’s undergone a recent cosmetic refresh that cost £80,000.
Widely known across Ferrari circles, this prime example won its class at the 2001 Palos Verdes Concours d’Elegance.
It was then treated to a thorough restoration in 2003, when its original Grigio Fumo paint was repainted in Blu Sera.
At the 2006 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, it scored an impressive 99.5 points by judges.
Five months later, it won a Platinum Award at the Cavallino Classic.
It will be part of RM Sotheby’s upcoming Miami Auction, at the Biltmore Hotel Coral Gables, from February 27 to 28.
The listing said: “This car is the 7th of 17 series short-wheelbase examples bodied by Pininfarina and was exhibited at the 1961 Paris Salon.
“This model is Ferrari Classiche Red Book certified and additionally documented with factory build sheet copies, Ferrari technical characteristic sheets, manufacturer’s Certificate of Authenticity, history report by Marcel Massini, and restoration invoices.
“It was comprehensively restored in the mid-2000s, with a £80,000 cosmetic refresh conducted in mid-2023.
“It has a stellar record of awards at major concours d’elegance, including numerous FCA Platinum awards, class wins at Amelia Island and Salon Privé, class awards at three different Pebble Beach appearances, and Best of Show at the 2024 Cavallino Classic Middle East.
“The car is also accompanied by toolkit and fitted luggage.
“It is arguably the most finely restored example of the sublime short wheelbase Coupe Aerodinamico.”
It isn’t the only high-priced Ferrari set to sell at the auction either, as a seldom-seen Ferrari F50 boasting a top speed of 202mph has been listed for £5million.
The iconic 1996 supercar was produced to celebrate Ferrari’s 50th anniversary.
This mid-nineties classic forms part of the Ferrari ‘Big Six’, including the 288 GTO, F40, Enzo, LaFerrari and F80.
Images show this super-sleek Ferrari finished in Rosso Corsa over a Nero interior.
And the cabin and seats are leather-trimmed with Rosso red seat bolsters.
A removable Targa top allows for either a Barchetta-style open-top or Berlinetta saloon appearance, depending on your mood.
1 week agoLatest NewsComments Off on Towie future confirmed as ITV bosses reveal fate of long-running show after 15 years
THE future of long-running reality TV series TOWIE has been confirmed by ITVBe bosses.
It comes after the Essex-based programme has dominated screens for a whopping 15 years.
ITVThe future of ITVBe reality series has been confirmed[/caption]
ITVITVBe bosses have confirmed two separate TOWIE seasons will air in 2025[/caption]
ITVThe TOWIE action – including Dan and Ella’s love story and split – has been streamed an impressive 45million times on ITVX during the past 12 months[/caption]
ITV bosses have now let slip the BAFTA-Award winning show will air two separate instalments this year.
It comes after the TOWIE action has been streamed an impressive 45million times on ITVX during the past 12 months.
TOWIE loyals will also appreciate a spin off series featuring show OGs Tommy Mallet and Georgia Kousoulou, with a transmission name yet to be confirmed.
The pair – who share two kids – first met and found love on TOWIE back in 2014 will finally say I Do in a three part special produced by Objective Entertainment.
This follows on from the success of their Baby Steps series.
Paul Mortimer, Director of Reality Commissioning and Acquisitions at ITV, said “We are delighted to be celebrating two of our longest running reality franchises as they enter exciting milestone years, whilst also expanding both series, following the ever popular Tommy and Georgia as they embark upon new chapters.”
SHOW MUST GO ON
The news comes after the TOWIE cast were seen hitting the bars in Bali on the first night of their away trip.
Roman Hackett was also seen heading out but was not joined by his Love Island star girlfriend Matilda Draper after The Sun revealed she didn’t get her visa in time.
A source told The Sun: “It was one of those logistical problems.
“Matilda had hoped all the travel paperwork would be done on time but she only signed onto the show the day before she began filming last week so there just wasn’t time to get everything ironed out.”
They continued: “She’ll still bring the drama back in Essex.”
Matilda isn’t the only star not joining the Bali trip for the new series.
In a surprise move, TV favourites Lauren Goodger and Amy Childs have decided not to team up with the rest of their co-stars on the sunkissed holiday.
WITH the announcement TOWIE will return in 2025 for two new series, it's good news for some former ITVBE stars, too
TWO of the show’s best loved former stars will celebrate their own big life moments with a spin off series featuring Tommy Mallet and Georgia Kousoulou.
Their new show title is currently unconfirmed.
The pair, who first met and found love on TOWIE back in 2014, finally say ‘I Do’ in a three part special produced by Objective Entertainment.
The show will follow on from the success of their Baby Steps series.
A show source told The Sun: “Lauren and Amy aren’t going on the trip with the cast to Bali.
“With the trips it’s always storyline dependent, so not everyone will go as it’s about getting the right mix of people with interacting plots.
“Amy and Lauren will be staying in Essex, where filming will continue simultaneously, as there is always plenty of drama on home turf.”
The source added: “Both Amy and Lauren were invited on the overseas jaunt but chose to stay behind. They’re both busy mums and didn’t want to leave their kids, and it would have been stressful to take them along.”
The sisters are reuniting for a fresh format that will focus on their lives as entrepreneurs.
A source said: “ITVBe viewers absolutely love Billie and Sam — there’s a reason The Mummy Diaries ran for nine series, then Billie’s Family Diaries for six.
“The new series, which will air later this year, will look at motherhood from a different angle and be less about the kids and more about their careers and juggling their businesses.
“It’s now a whole new chapter for the Faiers girls and they are back together, better than ever.”
TOWIE fans have been glued to the action since 2010RexITVSome of the cast have headed to Bali for fiming[/caption]
ITV / Lime PicturesTOWIE alum Tommy Mallet and Georgia Kousoulou have also scooped a fresh spin off show[/caption]
1 week agoLatest NewsComments Off on Netflix finally adds new button fans have been begging for that speeds up downloading favourite TV shows
NETFLIX has added a new button to the app that should make downloading TV shows a lot less hassle.
Weirdly, the feature has been available on Android for sometime now but iPhone and iPad has been mysteriously left out.
NetflixThe handy button has just landed on iPhone and iPad[/caption]
In fact, it’s been around for Android since 2021.
The change solves a pain many TV fans have experienced when preparing a binge of their favourite programmes.
And it’s the ability to download entire seasons all at once.
Until now, iPhone and iPad owners had to go through the effort of tapping each episode individually.
But thanks to this small but significant update, users on iOS now have the power to download a full season with one tap.
“Today, we’re adding a much-requested Season Download button for all iPhone and iPad users,” Netflix said.
“This feature, which Android users already know and love, allows you to download every episode in a season with just one tap.
“Whether you’re gearing up for a long flight and ready to dive into the new season of The Night Agent, a cross-country train ride with XO Kitty Season 2 keeping you company, or just planning some downtime offline, this feature has you covered with just the click of a button.”
The new button will appear beneath the synopsis and cast information, next to the share icon.
It is labelled as “Download Season” followed by the season number.
NETFLIX PRICE INCREASES
The move comes days after the streaming giant announced that it will increase prices in the US, Canada, Portugal, and Argentina.
“Typically, the UK often follows the US and should expect news in due course around a similar percentage increase,” Paolo Pescatore, an analyst from PP Foresight said.
“Price rises were widely expected and we should expect other countries to follow suit in due course,” Paolo explained.
“The streaming business is following the traditional pay TV world with annual price rises.
“We should get accustomed to these price rises, more so as the streamer broadens its diversified portfolio of programming.
“In particular if it makes further opportunistic moves into acquiring live sports.”
NETFLIX PRICES AND PERKS – HOW MUCH ARE YOU PAYING?
Here's what you need to know...
Netflix Standard with Ads
Price: £4.99 UK / $7.99 US (previously $6.99)
Ad-supported, all but a few movies and TV shows available, unlimited mobile games
Watch on 2 supported devices at a time
Watch in 1080p (Full HD)
Download on 2 supported devices at a time
Netflix Standard
Price: £10.99 UK / $17.99 US (previously $15.49)
Unlimited ad-free movies, TV shows, and mobile games
Watch on 2 supported devices at a time
Watch in 1080p (Full HD)
Download on 2 supported devices at a time
Option to add 1 extra member who doesn’t live with you
Netflix Premium
Price: £17.99 UK / $24.99 US (previously $22.99)
Unlimited ad-free movies, TV shows, and mobile games
Watch on 4 supported devices at a time
Watch in 4K (Ultra HD) + HDR
Download on 6 supported devices at a time
Option to add up to 2 extra members who don’t live with you
1 week agoLatest NewsComments Off on XL Bully ban: Irish owners’ rights as dog breed becomes illegal to own in two DAYS – here’s how it works & exemptions
THE ban on XL Bully dogs is in full swing following calls for tighter pet control measures after a number of attacks.
Former Rural and Community Development Minister Heather Humphreys announced the ban in summer, with the first phase kicking in last October and the second phase coming into play on February 1.
A number of dog attacks prompted the moveGetty Images - GettyThe second phase is coming next monthGetty Images - Getty
The move came following a number of “horrific” attacks by XL Bullies last year, with Department claiming that the ban is in the interest of safety.
Minister Humphreys explained at the time: “These new regulations will ensure that, from October, nobody in the State can take ownership of these dangerous dogs and that it will be illegal to breed, sell, import, rehome, exchange, gift or abandon XL Bully dogs.”
She added: “I know a lot of people will not agree with this decision. I’m a dog owner myself and I know people love their dogs.
“We must be mindful however that no dog’s life is worth more than human life. Ultimately that is what guided me in making this decision.
“The XL bully was responsible for the horrific attack on Alejandro Mizsan in Wexford last year and it was also the breed which killed a young woman in Limerick.
“If we do not take action now the number of these dogs in the country will grow and my fear is that these attacks will become more frequent.
“It is my strong view that Ireland should not be out of step with neighbouring jurisdictions in Northern Ireland and the UK on this matter.”
This will be the first time a dog has been fully banned in Ireland —until now, the state has followed a restricted breed list with 11 dog breeds included.
The first phase of the ban began on October 1, 2024, making it illegal to import, breed or re-sell XL Bullies.
An XL bully dog is the largest of the American Bully Breed and is usually a mix of a number of breeds – including an American pit bull terrier.
Then on February 1, 2025, owning an XL Bully in Ireland will be illegal.
This applies to all XL bully dogs except in cases where owners have a “Certificate of Exemption”.
The new ban was created after consultation with a Stakeholder Group on Dog Control and Retired Garda Commissioner John Twomey.
ARE ANY DOG BREEDS BANNED IN IRELAND?
No breed of dog is currently banned in Ireland. But with certain breeds of dog, additional rules must be followed.
This applies to the following types of dog, as well as strains or cross-breeds of these breeds:
American pit bull terrier
English bull terrier
Staffordshire bull terrier
Bull mastiff
Dobermann pinscher
German shepherd (Alsatian)
Rhodesian ridgeback
Rottweiler
Japanese akita
Japanese tosa
Bandog
In Ireland, restricted dogs or strains and crosses of them must be:
Kept on a short strong lead of under two metres
With someone over the age of 16, who is able to control them
Muzzled when in a public place
Wearing a collar with the name and address of their owner, at all times
But Minister Heather Humphreys confirmed more severe rules could be on the cards, saying: “I have asked the Group to examine the restricted breeds list, in line with actions being taken in the UK and Northern Ireland.
“I am committed to working with colleagues across Government in taking whatever action is necessary to strengthen our dog control laws.”
Minister Humphreys explained: “These new regulations will ensure that, from October, nobody in the State can take ownership of these dangerous dogs and that it will be illegal to breed, sell, import, rehome, exchange, gift or abandon XL Bully dogs.
“Secondly, I will be bringing in a system of certification for existing owners of XL Bully dogs.
“Over the period 1st October 2024 to 1st February 2025 all existing XL Bully owners will have to apply for a Certificate of Exemption.”
What will penalties be for owning an XL Bully?
After February 1, 2025, “any owner who is not compliant with the new regulations will have their dog seized and euthanized.”
Penalties for the XL bully ban will align with penalties outlined in the Control of Dogs Act.
Any person found guilty of an offence could face a fine of up to €2,500 and up to three months in prison.
In addition, any dog found stray or abandoned will be seized by the dog warden and may be put down after five days unless claimed.
How do dogs get Certificates of Exemption?
The only instance where an XL Bully will be allowed in Ireland is if the owner receives a Certificate of Exemption for the dog.
The Department of Rural and Community development said these will be issued under strict criteria.
This includes a requirement for licensing, microchipping and neutering the XL Bully.
The Department has also warned that additional criteria may be introduced upon discussion with the Stakeholder Group on Dog Control.
How will the ban be implemented?
An additional €2 million has been allocated in funding to enable local authorities to expand and improve their pound and warden facilities.
This is in addition to the extra €2 million that was announced for dog warden facilities in November 2023.
The Department said that this funding will “help local authorities manage the increased demands” due to the new regulations.
What is the new XL Bully ban?
HERE is everything you need to know about the new XL Bully ban in Ireland.
The XL Bully ban comes into force in two stages beginning on the October 1, 2024, with a full ownership ban from February 1 2025.
The period between these two dates will allow current XL Bully dog owners time to apply for a Certificate of Exemption from their local authority to permit them to keep their dog until the end of its natural life.
There will be no fee for the certificate of exemption.
Owners will be able to apply for a certificate of exemption from their local authority from 1st October subject to the dog being:
Licensed
Microchipped
Neutered
Certificates of Exemption
The Certificate of Exemption will be unique to each XL Bully type dog and owner.
It will specify the dog’s licence details, microchip details, neutering details, age and description. It will also specify the dog owner’s name, address, date of birth and contact number.
A Certificate of Exemption is issued by the Local Authority and authorises the owner of an XL Bully type dog to keep that dog at a particular premises until the natural end of the dog’s life.
After February 1, 2025, all XL Bully type dog owners should either be in possession of a Certificate of Exemption or have proof that they applied for a Certificate of Exemption.
Owners must apply to their local authority after October 1, 2024.
No fee will be charged for a Certificate of Exemption.
Penalties for breaching the regulations
Any owner found to be in breach of the regulations will have committed an offence under the Control of Dogs Act 1986.
The dog may be seized and euthanized in a humane manner and the owner will be subject to the penalties outlined in that Act:
A fine of up to €2,500, or imprisonment of a term of up to 3 months, or both.
Minister Humphreys said that the Department worked on a cross-government level with local authorities, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Gardai and the Revenue Commissioners.
She said: “The timelines I have set out will ensure that existing owners have time to obtain Certificates of Exemption and that the systems are in place to enforce the regulations once enacted.”
While announcing the ban, Minister Humphreys explained that although she is a dog owner herself, “no dog’s life is worth more than human life.”
She said: “I know a lot of people will not agree with this decision.
“I’m a dog owner myself and I know people love their dogs.
“We must be mindful however that no dog’s life is worth more than human life. Ultimately that is what guided me in making this decision.
“The XL Bully was responsible for the horrific attack on Alejandro Mizsan in Wexford last year and it was also the breed which killed a young woman in Limerick.
“If we do not take action now the number of these dogs in the country will grow and my fear is that these attacks will become more frequent.
“It is my strong view that Ireland should not be out of step with neighbouring jurisdictions in Northern Ireland and the UK on this matter.”
What were the regulations for dogs before ban?
This will be the first time a dog has been fully banned in Ireland —until now, the state has followed a restricted breed list.
Dogs on the restricted breeds list require owners an additional set of rules.
These include being muzzled in public, using a lead shorter than two metres—which must be strong—wearing a collar with the owner’s information at all times, and only being led by those over 18.