Three men jailed for manslaughter of Tom Niland

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

John Irving was sentenced to 16 years in prison, with the final year suspended, for the manslaughter of Tom Niland. Francis Harman and John Clarke each received 15 years, with the final year suspended. The sentences are backdated to when the men first entered custody.

The judge said the men planned and carried out a robbery at Niland’s home in Doonflynn, Co Sligo, targeting him because he was elderly and living alone. Niland suffered brain injuries and other serious injuries in the attack on January 18, 2022, and died on September 30, 2023. The judge also considered the suffering of Niland’s family and friends during the 20 months before his death.