Irish man could face serious jail time for TORTURING a helpless cat

An Irish native is set to face charges of animal cruelty after he allegedly tormented his roommate's cat Lucy for several weeks. 

Declan Garrity, who works as a financial analyst for Barclays bank in New York, was arrested earlier this week on several counts of abuse towards the defenceless animal. 

According to the Irish Independent, the 24-year-old Northern Irish man has been accused of tearing out the cat's nails, breaking numerous bones in her body as well as burning her, all since he moved into the apartment in November. 

The complaint was lodged after Declan's roommate and the owner of Lucy, returned home to find the animal cowering in fear covered in blood. 

"[Lucy was] hiding in her carrier [with] her rear foot facing in the wrong direction," said the roommate, who wishes to remain anonymous, to the New York Daily News.  

The owner also claims to have found paper towels covered in cat hair and blood on a dresser in the bedroom. 

According to the vet who examined Lucy following the incident, the animal suffered numerous broken bones including broken ribs, broken teeth, burns and broken claws. 

A police statement revealed that the owner noticed changes in the cat's behaviour ever since the Irish man took lodgings at the apartment. 

"The individual observed Lucy's behaviour change, including hiding in the individual's bedroom closet, not eating and constantly licking her paws."

The suspect claimed that an iron had fallen on the pet when questioned over burns found on the animal back in January. 

"It's nauseating," continued the owner.  "I've been disgusted with everything … I thought he was the best roommate I ever had. It's bizarre."

Meanwhile, a Go Fund Me page dedicated to the recovery of Lucy has already raised over two thousand euro at the time of writing.