Courts / Roscommon / Report
Strokestown farm attackers 'bent on violence and domination', State tell jury
Summary
The trial of Patrick Sweeney, Martin O'Toole, Paul Beirne, and David Lawlor continues before Judge Martina Baxter and a jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The four men, who have all pleaded not guilty, face 17 charges each, including false imprisonment, assault causing harm to four security personnel, aggravated burglary, and arson of four vehicles. Prosecuting counsel Anne Rowland SC delivered her closing speech on day 38 of the trial, which began last February. She alleged that the group was "bent on violence and domination" during an attack on a repossessed farm in Co Roscommon in December 2018. The State's case relies on joint enterprise, arguing that all participants are liable for the criminal acts committed by the group. While the prosecution noted that the case is mainly based on circumstantial evidence, it pointed to direct video footage identifying Mr. Sweeney and Mr. O'Toole committing offences. The jury was reminded to decide the case on the facts rather than sympathy for the victims. The matter is currently at the appeal stage of proceedings and has not been finalised; the trial continues.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Strokestown farm attackers 'bent on violence and domination', State tell jury. Charges or matters: 17 charges each at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court; false imprisonment and assault causing harm to four security personnel, aggravated burglary and arson of four vehicles which were set alight. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- December 16, 2018 Incident
- December 16, 2008 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2023-05-16 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: 17 charges each at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court; false imprisonment and assault causing harm to four security personnel, aggravated burglary and arson of four vehicles which were set alight (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Accused
Charges: 17 charges each at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court; false imprisonment and assault causing harm to four security personnel, aggravated burglary and arson of four vehicles which were set alight (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Accused
Charges: 17 charges each at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court; false imprisonment and assault causing harm to four security personnel, aggravated burglary and arson of four vehicles which were set alight (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Accused
Charges: 17 charges each at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court; false imprisonment and assault causing harm to four security personnel, aggravated burglary and arson of four vehicles which were set alight (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
Topics
Burglary Stage Appeal Violent Crime
Related court reports
- Court refuses to reduce sentence for brothel keeper caught with child abuse material
- Cage fighter convicted of Shannon murder gets hearing date for miscarriage of justice application
- Strokestown assault conviction overturned by High Court
- Cage fighter seeks to have murder conviction declared a miscarriage of justice
- Ukrainian man left with serious head injury after unprovoked fire extinguisher attack
- Judge asks for information on allegation that garda photographed whistleblower in court
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request