Courts / Roscommon / Report

Detective tells Strokestown eviction case he didn't believe body-cam clip was relevant

Date
2023-05-02
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Roscommon
County
Roscommon

Summary

A garda detective has given evidence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in the trial of four men charged in connection with an alleged attack on security personnel at a repossessed farm near Strokestown, Co Roscommon. The court heard that a two-second body-camera clip was not disclosed to the defence as the officer believed it was not relevant. Detective McDonnell acknowledged he had inadvertently recorded the footage while the camera was in garda custody and accepted that withholding it did not constitute best practice. The trial heard evidence regarding an incident on December 16, 2018, when approximately 30 armed men reportedly arrived at the property and attacked four security guards. Patrick Sweeney, Martin O'Toole, Paul Beirne, and David Lawlor, all pleaded not guilty to 17 charges each, including assault causing harm, false imprisonment, aggravated burglary, arson, and violent disorder. The trial continues before Judge Martina Baxter and a jury.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Detective tells Strokestown eviction case he didn't believe body-cam clip was relevant. Charges or matters: 17 charges each at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Case subjects

David Lawlor

Defendant

Charges: 17 charges each at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Martin O'Toole

Defendant

Charges: 17 charges each at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Patrick Sweeney

Defendant

Charges: 17 charges each at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Paul Beirne

Defendant

Charges: 17 charges each at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Places mentioned

Secondary Mention
Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Facility

Topics

Burglary Stage Sentence Violent Crime

Related court reports

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