Architect of 'barbaric' attack on businessman fails in bid to overturn conviction

William Twomey, a former financial advisor from Warrenpoint in County Down, has been unsuccessful in challenging his conviction at the Court of Appeal following his role in orchestrating a violent robbery targeting a Mayo businessman in County Louth in December 2017. The Special Criminal Court had found Twomey guilty in September 2021 of robbery, assault causing harm, and demanding money with menaces. He was sentenced to three years imprisonment, with the final twelve months suspended, commencing from August 2021. The prosecution case established that Twomey devised and initiated the scheme to lure the victim to Omeath under false pretences, using a fraudulent email account to make contact. The businessman was subsequently subjected to a brutal assault involving iron bars before being robbed of cash, vehicle keys, and personal items. He was also falsely imprisoned during the course of the attack. On appeal, Twomey's legal representatives argued that he had effectively withdrawn from the criminal enterprise prior to the violence occurring. They contended that he had notified both gardaí and the Police Service of Northern Ireland of the plan, which they submitted constituted sufficient withdrawal from the joint enterprise. However, the Court of Appeal rejected this argument, finding that the measures taken by Twomey fell short of constituting an effective withdrawal. Mr Justice Edwards determined that the Special Criminal Court had properly evaluated the evidence presented and had reached conclusions that were thorough, rigorous, and properly supported by that evidence. The appeal was dismissed and Twomey's conviction stands. Other participants in the attack received substantial custodial sentences, with one co-accused having received four years and nine months imprisonment.