'NI mercenaries' video circulated before attack at Roscommon eviction farm, trial hears

At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, the trial heard that a social media video alleging Northern Irish "mercenaries" were responsible for an eviction circulated two days before an armed attack on a rural property near Strokestown, County Roscommon. The video, recorded on December 14, 2018, prompted local gardaí to arrange a presence at the house in Falsk, though staffing constraints limited patrols to before 3am. Early on December 16, approximately 30 armed men, some masked, attacked four security guards at the property, which had been repossessed five days earlier. Four men have pleaded not guilty to 17 charges each, including false imprisonment, assault, aggravated burglary, arson, and violent disorder. A court messenger gave evidence regarding the lawful execution of the High Court repossession order. The trial before Judge Martina Baxter continues.