Sergeant tells trial that reasonable force was used to remove family from repossessed farm

A garda sergeant has testified at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court that reasonable force was employed by security personnel during the removal of occupants from a repossessed farm near Strokestown, Co Roscommon, on 11 December 2018. Sergeant Enda Daly gave evidence in the trial of four men charged with attacking security guards at the same property five days later. The State alleges that approximately 30 armed men, some masked, assaulted four security personnel at Falsk on 16 December 2018. Patrick Sweeney, aged 44, of Ramelton, Co Donegal; Martin O'Toole, aged 58, of Claremorris, Co Mayo; Paul Beirne, aged 56, of Boyle, Co Roscommon; and David Lawlor, aged 43, of Navan, have each pleaded not guilty to 17 charges including false imprisonment, assault, aggravated burglary, arson, violent disorder, and robbery. Sergeant Daly confirmed that gardaí present on 11 December had no involvement in executing the High Court repossession order. The trial before Judge Martina Baxter continues.