Two Jack Russell dogs were placed in a Garda identity parade to try and establish which one attacked a six-year-old boy, it emerged in court yesterday.
Judge Liam Devally, at the Circuit Civil Court, said he felt the line-up made legal history.
The court heard there had been a number of Jack Russells in the housing estate where Adam Masterson lived, and no one could be certain whose dog bit him in the face in 1994. Barrister John Nolan said the attack left Adam, of Riverside Park, Coolock, now aged 12, with a small scar close to his left eye.
"Garda Noel Coughlan set up an identity parade, somewhat akin to those held in Garda stations in relation to criminal cases involving people, and the boy's grandmother identified a dog," Mr Nolan said.
He told the court Garda Coughlan had not been satisfied that the identification would support a prosecution against the dog's owners, Edward and Kay Ban non, Eagle Park, Coolock. No prosecution had been taken.
Although Adam's mother, Amanda, and grandmother had arrived quickly on the scene, a doubt remained as to whose dog had committed the attack.
Mr Nolan said it appeared most likely to be the Bannons' dog, but another canine suspect was included. Mr Nolan said the Bannons had offered Adam a £3,000 settlement with costs, which he was recommending to the court due to the uncertainty that Adam's case would succeed in a full trial.
Judge Devally approved the settlement. He said he was unaware of a dog identification parade having featured previously before the courts.
Adam, the court heard, had not suffered serious injury. Nor had he developed a fear of dogs.