Courts / Sligo / Report

Pensioner's injuries suffered during alleged break-in similar to 'head-on crash', witness to tell trial

Date
2025-07-10

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Sligo

County
Sligo

Summary

A trial has commenced at the Central Criminal Court concerning charges against John Irving of Shanwar, Foxford, County Mayo. The prosecution alleges that Mr Irving, along with Francis Harman of Ballina and John Clarke of Ballina, broke into the home of a pensioner at Doonflynn, Skreen, County Sligo in January 2022 and assaulted him. The victim, then aged 73, sustained severe injuries including head trauma, rib fractures and internal bleeding. He died over twenty months later from complications arising from the assault. A medical witness is expected to testify that the injuries were comparable to those sustained in a serious motor collision. Forensic evidence presented includes DNA and blood located on gloves discovered in the area. Mr Irving denies all charges, including unlawful killing, assault causing serious harm, trespass, and false imprisonment. The trial before Ms Justice Eileen Creedon continues.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Pensioner's injuries suffered during alleged break-in similar to 'head-on crash', witness to tell trial. Charges or matters: all four charges. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

January 2022 Incident
September 30, 2023 Incident
January 18, 2022 Incident
January 26 Hearing Or Sentence
January 18 Hearing Or Sentence
2025-07-10 Publication

Why: The manslaughter charge arises, he said, because it is the State's case that Mr Irving assaulted Mr Niland and caused his death. CNI source report