Man, 31, dramatically admits role in killing of Sligo farmer, 73, beaten in rural home by 3 men & left to die
John Irving, 31, pleaded guilty to
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John Irving pleaded guilty to manslaughter
Credit: James Connolly
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Tom Niland died from his injuries 20 months after the incident
He became the third person to admit manslaughter over the death of Mr Niland, who suffered brain injuries, a fracture to his eye socket and multiple rib fractures following the assault.
He was put on life support but died from his injuries 20 months later.
His attackers took his wallet containing €800 or €900 and went to Casey's garage in Ballina,
They had left the same garage just hours earlier unable to pay for diesel they had already put into their Vauxhall Vivaro van.
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Francis Harman, the driver of the van, had told the garage owner that he would be back later to pay for the fuel.
After Irving, of Shanwar, Foxford, Co Mayo, pleaded guilty this morning to Mr Niland's unlawful killing, Ms Justice Eileen Creedon discharged the jury which began hearing evidence in the trial five days ago.
It can now be reported that Harman, 58, of Nephin Court, Killala Road, Ballina Co Mayo and John Clarke, 37, of Carrowkelly, Ballina pleaded guilty to the same offence last week.
Irving was further charged with entering Mr Niland's home as a trespasser and causing him serious harm, intentionally or recklessly causing him serious harm and false imprisonment.
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However, the Director of Public Prosecutions indicated that the guilty plea to manslaughter meets the prosecution's case.
Ms Justice Eileen Creedon adjourned the matter to October 13.
She also ordered victim impact statements from the Niland family and probation and psychological reports for Irving.
Defence counsel, Patrick Gageby SC, said his client was anxious to apologise to the court and jury for taking up their time.
The three men broke into Mr Niland's home between 6pm and 7pm at Doonflynn, Skreen,
They assaulted him, took his wallet and drove to Lough Easkey where they disposed of gloves, the wallet and other items that might link them to the crime.
Opening the case last week, prosecutor Tony McGillicuddy SC told the jury that on the day of the break-in, people in Ireland were wearing masks in the midst of a
'TOTALLY DISTORTED'
Mr Niland lived alone at Doonflynn, by the N59 between Sligo and Ballina, near Sligo Bay.
Looking out from his house, he could see the hills of
Shortly after 7pm, having been assaulted, Mr Niland was able to get up and walk towards the home of his neighbours, the Calpins, living across the N59.
Anna Calpin told Mr McGillicuddy that she was in her garden with her daughter when they went to see why cars were slowing down on the road.
She said: 'As we approached, he [Mr Niland] was standing in the middle of the road with his hands out in front of him, he couldn't see anything and we didn't know who it was.
'When we got closer to him, the first thing we heard was, I was robbed, and then we realised it was Tom.'
The witness recalled a lot of blood, telling the court that his face was 'totally distorted', while his eyes were swollen and shut.
He had a runner on one foot and a shoe on the other but neither one was laced up.
'HE WAS UNRECOGNISABLE'
She recalled Mr Niland telling her that his doorbell rang and when he opened the door, three men wearing masks appeared and pushed him into his hallway.
He said they took his wallet containing €800 or €900. Ms Calpin brought Mr Niland into her home and called an ambulance and gardai.
Ms Calpin's husband, David Calpin, said he was in his workshop when his daughter came in and said that Mr Niland had been 'robbed and assaulted'.
When he saw his neighbour, he recalled: 'He was so badly beaten that his eyes wouldn't even open, he was covered in blood on his face and clothes. He was basically unrecognisable.'
Mr Calpin went across to Mr Niland's house where he saw blood 'running down the glass of the front door'.
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