Courts / Roscommon / Report
'You are denying me my human rights': Strokestown vigilante walks out of appeal
Summary
Three men who were convicted of a vigilante attack on security personnel at a repossessed farmhouse in Roscommon appeared before the Court of Appeal on 4 February to challenge the severity of their sentences. Martin O'Toole, aged 60, from Claremorris, County Mayo, discharged his legal representation and walked out of court after being refused permission to read a statement into the record, effectively withdrawing his appeal. Paul Beirne, aged 58, from Boyle, County Roscommon, subsequently indicated he would not continue with his appeal. PJ Sweeney, aged 59, from Ramelton, County Donegal, proceeded with his appeal, with counsel arguing the 15-year sentence was excessive and disproportionate, citing mitigating factors and good character. The Director of Public Prosecutions contended the sentence was appropriate given the serious and violent nature of the December 2018 attack at Strokestown. The court reserved judgement.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'You are denying me my human rights': Strokestown vigilante walks out of appeal. Charges or matters: aggravated burglary; violent disorder; criminal damage; false imprisonment; assault causing harm; arson; causing unnecessary suffering to an animal. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- June 2023 Incident
- December 16, 2018 Incident
- 2025-02-04 Publication
Why: Mr Gageby said there was no error in terms of sentence because all of those who came "intended to cause harm" and intended to commit aggravated burglary. CNI source report
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: aggravated burglary; violent disorder; criminal damage; false imprisonment; assault causing harm; arson; causing unnecessary suffering to an animal (Proven)
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; O'Toole, of Stripe, Irishtown, Claremorris Co Mayo; Sweeney, of High Cairn, Ramelton, Co Donegal; and Beirne, of Croghan, Boyle, Co Roscommon, were each sentenced to 15 years in prison after being found guilty in June 2023 of 15 charges in relation to the incident at Strokestown, including aggravated burglary, violent disorder and criminal damage to a door of the house.
Appellant
Charges: aggravated burglary; violent disorder; criminal damage; false imprisonment; assault causing harm; arson; causing unnecessary suffering to an animal (Proven)
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; O'Toole, of Stripe, Irishtown, Claremorris Co Mayo; Sweeney, of High Cairn, Ramelton, Co Donegal; and Beirne, of Croghan, Boyle, Co Roscommon, were each sentenced to 15 years in prison after being found guilty in June 2023 of 15 charges in relation to the incident at Strokestown, including aggravated burglary, violent disorder and criminal damage to a door of the house.
Appellant
Charges: aggravated burglary; violent disorder; criminal damage; false imprisonment; assault causing harm; arson; causing unnecessary suffering to an animal (Proven)
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; O'Toole, of Stripe, Irishtown, Claremorris Co Mayo; Sweeney, of High Cairn, Ramelton, Co Donegal; and Beirne, of Croghan, Boyle, Co Roscommon, were each sentenced to 15 years in prison after being found guilty in June 2023 of 15 charges in relation to the incident at Strokestown, including aggravated burglary, violent disorder and criminal damage to a door of the house.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
Topics
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