Courts / Roscommon / Report

'NI mercenaries' video circulated before attack at Roscommon eviction farm, trial hears

Summary

Patrick Sweeney, Martin O'Toole, Paul Beirne, and David Lawlor have pleaded not guilty to 17 charges each at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The defendants are accused of false imprisonment, assault, aggravated burglary, arson, criminal damage, violent disorder, robbery, and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal at a property in Falsk, Roscommon, on December 16, 2018. The trial heard that a video circulated on social media two days prior to the alleged attack, depicting security personnel at the repossessed residence and describing them as "mercenaries." Sergeant Bernard Kilroy testified that after viewing the footage, a garda presence was maintained at the property, though staffing levels prevented coverage past 3am. The court also heard evidence from court messenger Padraig Gilligan regarding the repossession order. The trial continues before Judge Martina Baxter and a jury.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'NI mercenaries' video circulated before attack at Roscommon eviction farm, trial hears. Charges or matters: 17 charges each at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• December 16, 2018 Incident
• December 14 Hearing Or Sentence
• December 11, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2023-03-24 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Burglary Stage Sentence Theft Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report