Courts / Roscommon / Report
Jury begins deliberating in Strokestown farm attack case
Summary
A jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has begun deliberating in the trial of four men accused of participating in a vigilante attack on security personnel guarding a repossessed farmhouse in Strokestown, Co Roscommon, in December 2018. The defendants, Patrick Sweeney, Martin O'Toole, Paul Beirne, and David Lawlor, each pleaded not guilty to 17 charges. These alleged offences include false imprisonment and assault causing harm to four security personnel, aggravated burglary, arson of four vehicles, criminal damage to the property's front door, violent disorder, robbery of a wristwatch, and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal. Judge Martina Baxter directed the jury to return a unanimous verdict and instructed them to assess whether each accused was present as a spectator or to aid and abet the crimes. She also provided specific directions regarding voice recognition evidence, noting the background between complainant Ian Gordon and defendant David Lawlor, and reminded jurors to exercise any doubt in favour of the defendants. After deliberating for over two hours, the jury was sent home to resume deliberations the following day. The matter is currently at the sentencing stage validation, but as the jury has not yet returned a verdict, the case remains under active deliberation and has not been finalised.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Jury begins deliberating in Strokestown farm attack case. Charges or matters: 17 charges each at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court; false imprisonment and assault causing harm to four security personnel, aggravated burglary, arson of four vehicles which were set alight, criminal damage to the front door of the house, violent disorder, robbery of a wristwatch from one security guard and finally, causing unnecessary suffering to an animal by causing or permitting an animal to be struck on the head. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- December 16, 2018 Incident
- 2023-05-25 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, arson of four vehicles which were set alight, criminal damage to the front door of the house, violent disorder, robbery of a wristwatch from one security guard and finally, causing unnecessary suffering to an animal by causing or permitting an animal to be struck on the head (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Applicant
Accused
Charges: 17 charges each at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court; false imprisonment and assault causing harm to four security personnel, aggravated burglary, arson of four vehicles which were set alight, criminal damage to the front door of the house, violent disorder, robbery of a wristwatch from one security guard and finally, causing unnecessary suffering to an animal by causing or permitting an animal to be struck on the head (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, arson of four vehicles which were set alight, criminal damage to the front door of the house, violent disorder, robbery of a wristwatch from one security guard and finally, causing unnecessary suffering to an animal by causing or permitting an animal to be struck on the head (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, arson of four vehicles which were set alight, criminal damage to the front door of the house, violent disorder, robbery of a wristwatch from one security guard and finally, causing unnecessary suffering to an animal by causing or permitting an animal to be struck on the head (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
Burglary Stage Sentence Theft Violent Crime
Related court reports
- Strokestown assault conviction overturned by High Court
- Strokestown eviction vigilante fails in appeal against 15-year sentence
- 'You are denying me my human rights': Strokestown vigilante walks out of appeal
- 'The most barbaric violations of human rights': Strokestown eviction vigilantes to remain in jail
- Strokestown eviction vigilantes appeal convictions
- 11.5 years for father who 'poisoned' daughter's youth with years of rape and abuse
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request