Courts / Roscommon / Report

Builder denied he was man with chainsaw during farm eviction attack

Date
2023-04-19

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Castlerea

Summary

A 44-year-old builder from County Donegal is on trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court accused of participating in an armed attack on security personnel at a repossessed farm near Strokestown, County Roscommon on 16 December 2018. Patrick Sweeney of Ramelton faces charges including false imprisonment, assault causing harm, aggravated burglary, arson, violent disorder and animal cruelty. During interviews with gardaí, he denied being the man depicted in security footage wielding a chainsaw during the incident, which involved approximately 30 armed men. He stated he had never harmed anyone. Detective Sergeant Mark Geraghty gave evidence of five interview sessions conducted over 48 hours. Mr Sweeney has pleaded not guilty to all 17 charges. Three co-accused, Martin O'Toole, Paul Beirne and David Lawlor, face identical charges and have similarly pleaded not guilty. The trial continues.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Builder denied he was man with chainsaw during farm eviction attack. Charges or matters: false imprisonment of and assault causing harm to four security personnel at Falsk, Co Roscommon on December 16, 2018; the 17 charges put to each of them. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

December 16, 2018 Incident
January 11, 2019 Incident
January 11 Incident
2023-04-19 Publication

Case subjects

Martin O'Toole

Co Accused

Charges: the 17 charges put to each of them (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Patrick Sweeney

Accused

Charges: false imprisonment of and assault causing harm to four security personnel at Falsk, Co Roscommon on December 16, 2018; the 17 charges put to each of them (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Outcome: He said he was aware that Mr Sweeney had been arrested under Section 30 of the Offences against the State Act and was under detention at Castlerea.