Strokestown accused told gardai he organised people to 'take back the house peacefully'

A 56-year-old man from Boyle, Co Roscommon has told gardaí that he organised approximately 30 men to travel to a repossessed farmhouse near Strokestown on 16 December 2018 to "take back the house peacefully". Paul Beirne admitted driving a cattle lorry to the property at Falsk in the early morning hours and making phone calls to organise the group, though he stated the situation "got out of hand" and denied knowing how control was lost. He acknowledged causing damage to the front door with a sledgehammer but denied assaulting anyone or the presence of firearms. Beirne pleaded not guilty to 17 charges including false imprisonment, assault causing harm, aggravated burglary, arson, and violent disorder relating to an attack on four security guards. Three co-accused have similarly pleaded not guilty to identical charges at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Prosecution evidence concluded, with the trial continuing before Judge Martina Baxter.