Courts / Roscommon / Report

Strokestown eviction case: security guard forced to eat dog faeces, trial of four men hears

Summary

Four men are standing trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 53 charges arising from an alleged attack on security personnel during a property repossession at Strokestown, County Roscommon, in December 2018. Patrick Sweeney of Ramelton, County Donegal, Martin O'Toole of Claremorris, County Mayo, Paul Beirne of Boyle, County Roscommon, and David Lawlor of County Meath have each pleaded not guilty to charges including aggravated burglary, false imprisonment, assault causing harm, arson, criminal damage, violent disorder, robbery and animal cruelty. A security guard testified that approximately 30 masked individuals arrived at the property armed with weapons, assaulted four security staff, set vehicles alight and fatally injured a guard dog. The witness further told the court of previous hostile encounters with one of the defendants at other eviction sites. The trial is ongoing.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Strokestown eviction case: security guard forced to eat dog faeces, trial of four men hears. Charges or matters: a total of 53 charges; the 17 counts. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• December 16, 2018 Incident
• December 2018 Incident
• 2023-02-28 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Burglary Stage Sentence Theft Violent Crime

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• 'The most barbaric violations of human rights': Strokestown eviction vigilantes to remain in jail
• Strokestown eviction vigilantes appeal convictions
• 11.5 years for father who 'poisoned' daughter's youth with years of rape and abuse

Read the original CNI report