A court has heard that one of the men who has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Sligo farmer Tom Niland, had 57 previous convictions.
Three men will be sentenced on Thursday for their roles in the killing of Mr. Niland, who died after being beaten in his Sligo home three years ago.
DNA and other evidence was used in the case against his attackers: John Irving, from Shanwar, Foxford, Co Mayo; Francis Harman, of Killala Road, Ballina; and John Clarke, of Carrowkelly, Ballina, all of whom later pleaded guilty to his manslaughter.
Tom Niland suffered severe head and chest injuries, and died in hospital twenty months after the attack.
On the 18th of January 2022, three men forced their way into Tom Niland’s home in Skreen, Co Sligo.
They demanded money, pushed him inside, and punched him repeatedly in the head and body.
Despite suffering injuries that one doctor described as like being in a head-on car crash, the then 73yo managed to get out of his house and raise the alarm.
The Central Criminal Court heard yesterday that Mr. Irving had 57 previous convictions.
At their sentence hearing yesterday, Mr Niland’s cousin, Michael Walsh, described the attack as “profound and devastating… a cruel and senseless crime.”
Apologies and expressions of remorse were offered by all three men as part of their pleas in mitigation.
They’ll be sentenced on Thursday.