Courts / Roscommon / Report

Security guard expected to see 'charred bodies' after alleged Strokestown attack

Summary

A security guard has testified at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in the trial of four men accused of an assault on a rural Roscommon property in December 2018. Michael Kane told the jury he was asleep in a security van at the 30-acre estate near Strokestown when he was awakened by shouting and roaring at approximately 5am on December 16. He described witnessing a colleague being struck and falling to the ground, and hearing a loud mechanical sound. The witness said he and three other security personnel fled the scene, believing they would be killed. Upon returning when emergency services arrived, Mr Kane found the yard ablaze with two cars and four vans on fire. He said he feared finding "charred dead bodies" of his colleagues. Patrick Sweeney, Martin O'Toole, Paul Beirne and David Lawlor have each pleaded not guilty to 17 charges including false imprisonment, assault causing harm, aggravated burglary, arson and violent disorder. The trial before Judge Martina Baxter and a jury continues.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Security guard expected to see 'charred bodies' after alleged Strokestown attack. Charges or matters: 17 charges each at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• December 11, 2018 Incident
• December 16 Incident
• December 16, 2018 Incident
• 2023-03-16 Publication

Why: Mr Kane said that when he saw Mr Gordon he was so relieved because "I thought I was going back to see dead bodies, charred dead bodies". CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Burglary Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report