2022-03-16 ยท Dublin
Man took part in violent eviction with INLA terrorists
Jonathon Farrelly (33) of Lucan, Co Dublin, pleaded guilty to the false imprisonment of Martin Byrne and his wife Lisa Byrne, violent disorder, and the assault causing harm of John Roche, all occurring on June 9, 2015, at The Towers, Garter Lane, Saggart. Judge Orla Crowe adjourned the matter to allow time for consideration, remanding Farrelly in continuing custody until April 7 for sentence. The court heard that Farrelly was part of a group of seven men, including convicted murderer Declan Duffy and INLA member Dessie O'Hare, who forcibly evicted the Byrne family. Five co-accused were convicted in the Special Criminal Court in 2019. Desmond McGrath (50) of Tallaght, Dublin, who pleaded guilty to the same offences, was sentenced in February 2021 to four years imprisonment with the final 12 months suspended. Additionally, Jim Mansfield Junior was jailed for 18 months last month after being found guilty of attempting to pervert the course of justice for ordering the destruction of CCTV footage. Mansfield was acquitted of a separate charge of conspiracy to falsely imprison Byrne. Prosecution evidence detailed the violent nature of the incident, including injuries to Roche and threats made to Byrne, leading the family to enter the Witness Protection Programme. Defense counsel noted Farrelly was not a ringleader and has rehabilitated from drug addiction.