Courts / Roscommon / Report
Strokestown accused told gardai he was asleep at home on night of attack
Summary
A man accused of participating in an attack on security personnel at a repossessed farm in County Roscommon has told gardaí he was asleep at his home on the night in question. Paul Beirne, aged 56, of Croghan, Boyle, faces charges including false imprisonment, assault causing harm to four security workers, aggravated burglary, and arson concerning multiple vehicles at Falsk, near Strokestown, on 16 December 2018. During interviews with gardaí, extracts of which were presented to the jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Mr Beirne stated he was present at the property during an earlier eviction on 11 December 2018, claiming he was there to purchase cattle. He declined to provide a detailed account of events. Regarding the early-morning incident five days later, when approximately 30 armed men allegedly arrived at the farm, Mr Beirne maintained he was at home and asleep. He stated he had no knowledge of his cattle lorry's movements that night, despite tachograph records. Three co-accused have also pleaded not guilty to identical charges. The trial continues before Judge Martina Baxter.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Strokestown accused told gardai he was asleep at home on night of attack. Charges or matters: false imprisonment and assault causing harm to four security personnel at Falsk, on December 16, 2018. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- December 16, 2018 Incident
- December 11, 2018 Incident
- December 16 Incident
- December 15, 2018 Other
- 2023-05-05 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: false imprisonment and assault causing harm to four security personnel at Falsk, on December 16, 2018 (Alleged Or Contested)
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
Burglary Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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