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Irish Times
17-07-2025
- Irish Times
Three men plead guilty to unlawfully killing Tom Niland (73)
Five days into his trial for the unlawful killing of 73-year-old Tom Niland, who was beaten in his home and left to die by three men, John Irving has changed his plea to guilty. Irving (31) became the third person to plead guilty to 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 several hundred euros and went to Casey's garage in Ballina, Co Mayo, where they paid for petrol and goods in cash. They had left the same garage just hours earlier unable to pay for diesel they had already put into their Vauxhall Vivaro van. Francis Harman, the driver of the van, had told the garage owner that he would be back later to pay for the fuel. READ MORE Irving, of Shanwar, Foxford, Co Mayo, pleaded guilty on Thursday morning to Mr Niland's unlawful killing. Ms Justice Eileen Creedon then discharged the jury. It can now be reported that Francis 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. The three men broke into Mr Niland's home between 6pm and 7pm at Doonflynn, Skreen, Co Sligo on January 18th, 2022. 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. Shortly after 7pm, Mr Niland's neighbours saw him trying to cross the road, unable to see because his eyes were swollen shut. They said he was covered in blood and described him as unrecognisable due to the extent of his injuries. Doctors at Sligo University Hospital discovered bleeding to Mr Niland's brain, a fracture to his right eye socket and multiple rib fractures. Although he showed early signs of progress, he was put on a ventilator in intensive care eight days after the assault and did not recover. He was pronounced dead on September 30th, 2023, aged 75.
BreakingNews.ie
17-07-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Man accused of unlawful killing of Tom Niland pleads guilty and admits to killing Sligo pensioner
Five days into his trial for the unlawful killing of 73-year-old Tom Niland, who was beaten in his home and left to die by three men, John Irving changed his plea to guilty on Thursday. Irving (31) became the third person to plead guilty to 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. Advertisement His attackers took his wallet containing €800 or €900 and went to Casey's garage in Ballina, Co Mayo, where they paid for petrol and goods in cash. They had left the same garage just hours earlier, unable to pay for diesel, they had already put into their Vauxhall Vivaro van. 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 had been hearing evidence in the trial. Advertisement It can now be reported that Francis 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. The three men broke into Mr Niland's home between 6pm and 7pm at Doonflynn, Skreen, Co Sligo on January 18th, 2022. 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. Shortly after 7pm, Mr Niland's neighbours saw him trying to cross the road, unable to see because his eyes were swollen shut. They said he was covered in blood and described him as unrecognisable due to the extent of his injuries. Doctors at Sligo University Hospital discovered bleeding to Mr Niland's brain, a fracture to his right eye socket and multiple rib fractures. Although he showed early signs of progress, he was put on a ventilator in intensive care eight days after the assault and did not recover. He was pronounced dead on September 30th, 2023, aged 75. More to follow...
Irish Times
15-07-2025
- Irish Times
CCTV shows Tom Niland entering shop two hours before men allegedly broke into his home
A jury has viewed CCTV footage of 73-year-old Tom Niland walking into a shop about two hours before three men allegedly broke into his home and assaulted him, leaving him with injuries that caused his death 20 months later. Garda Niall McDonald told the court he created a montage from hours of footage downloaded from various CCTV systems in Sligo and Mayo following the assault on Mr Niland on January 18th, 2022. Garda McDonald described the movements of a white van travelling around Dromore West and Ballina that morning and afternoon. He said the van appeared to be a Vauxhall Vivaro and he noted distinctive characteristics, including a yellow number plate, writing on the side and a green stain on the roof. Just after 1.30pm, a van with those markings pulled into Casey's garage in Ballina. The garda identified the driver as Francis Harman (58), of Nephin Court, Killala Road, Ballina, Co Mayo, and the passenger as John Clarke (37), of Carrowkelly, Ballina. READ MORE Tony McGillicuddy, prosecuting, previously told the jury that the prosecution intends to prove that Mr Harman, Mr Clarke and the man on trial, John Irving (31), of Shanwar, Foxford, Co Mayo, assaulted Mr Niland later that evening, leaving him with fatal injuries. It is further alleged that they stole Mr Niland's wallet. At Casey's, Garda McDonald said Mr Clarke put fuel into the van before entering the shop. From footage inside the shop, said the garda, Mr Clarke can be seen attempting to buy cans of alcohol at the till, but then returning the cans to the off-licence section of the store. He said Mr Harman entered the shop and engaged with staff and the manager before driving off. At 4.35pm, said Garda McDonald, Mr Niland arrived at Feeney's Centra in Dromore West, about 7.5km from his home. Between 6pm and 7pm, the prosecution alleges, Mr Irving, Mr Harman and Mr Clarke broke through Mr Niland's door, assaulted him and left. Garda McDonald said that at 6.01pm a van similar to the one driven earlier by Mr Harman, with Mr Clarke in the passenger seat, did a U-turn at an agri-store and travelled towards Mr Niland's house. The van was not seen again on cameras further along the same road, said the garda. Mr Irving faces four charges in total. It is alleged that he unlawfully killed Mr Niland by assaulting him at the victim's home at Doonflynn, Skreen, Co Sligo, on January 18th, 2022. Mr Niland was admitted to hospital after neighbours discovered him crossing the N59 covered in blood and with his eyes swollen shut. A doctor has told the jury that Mr Niland suffered bleeding to the brain, a fracture to the orb of his right eye and multiple fractures to the ribs on the right side. Despite initially making progress in hospital, he deteriorated on January 26th and required a ventilator to breathe. He died on September 30th, 2023, aged 75. Mr Irving is accused of entering Mr Niland's home as a trespasser and causing him serious harm. He is further alleged to have intentionally or recklessly caused serious harm to Mr Niland and to have falsely imprisoned him. Mr Irving has pleaded not guilty to all four charges.
BreakingNews.ie
15-07-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Jury views CCTV footage of Tom Niland hours before alleged fatal assault
A jury has viewed CCTV footage showing 73-year-old Tom Niland walking into a shop near his house in Sligo about two hours before it is alleged three men broke into his home and assaulted him, leaving him with injuries that caused his death 20 months later. Gda Niall McDonald told Tony McGillicuddy SC, prosecuting, that he created a montage from hours of footage downloaded from various CCTV systems in Sligo and Mayo following the assault on Mr Niland on January 18th, 2022. Advertisement Gda McDonald described the movements of a white van travelling around Dromore West and Ballina that morning and afternoon. He said the van appeared to be a Vauxhall Vivaro and he pointed out distinctive characteristics, including a yellow number plate, writing on the side and a green stain on the roof. Just after 1.30pm, a van with those markings pulled into Casey's garage in Ballina. The garda identified the driver as Francis Harman (58) of Nephin Court, Killala Road, Ballina, Co Mayo, and the passenger as John Clarke (37) of Carrowkelly, Ballina. Advertisement Mr McGillicuddy previously told the jury that the prosecution intends to prove that Mr Harman, Mr Clarke and the man currently on trial, John Irving (31) of Shanwar, Foxford, Co Mayo, assaulted Mr Niland later that evening, leaving him with fatal injuries. It is further alleged that they stole Mr Niland's wallet. At Casey's, Gda McDonald said Mr Clarke put fuel into the van before entering the shop. From footage inside the shop, the garda said Mr Clarke can be seen attempting to buy cans of alcohol at the till, but then returning the cans to the off-licence section of the store. He said Mr Harman entered the shop and engaged with staff and the manager before leaving and driving off in the van. At 4.35pm, Gda McDonald said Mr Niland arrived at Feeney's Centra in Dromore West, about 7.5 kilometres from his home. He parked his car and went into the shop, stopping to speak to a man on the way in. Advertisement Between 6pm and 7pm, the prosecution alleges that Mr Irving, Mr Harman and Mr Clarke broke through Mr Niland's door, assaulted him and left. Gda McDonald said at 6.01pm, a van similar to the one driven earlier by Mr Harman with Mr Clarke in the passenger seat did a U-turn at an agri-store and travelled towards Mr Niland's house, which was nearby. The van was not seen again on cameras further along the same road, the garda said. Mr Irving faces four charges in total. It is alleged that he unlawfully killed Mr Niland at Mr Niland's home at Doonflynn, Skreen, Co Sligo by assaulting him on January 18th, 2022. Advertisement Mr Niland was admitted to hospital after neighbours discovered him crossing the N59 covered in blood and with his eyes swollen shut. A doctor has told the jury that Mr Niland suffered bleeding to the brain, a fracture to the orb of his right eye and multiple fractures to the ribs on the right side. Despite initially making progress in hospital, he deteriorated on January 26th and required a ventilator to breathe. He died on September 30th, 2023, aged 75. Mr Irving is accused of entering Mr Niland's home as a trespasser and causing him serious harm. He is further alleged to have intentionally or recklessly caused serious harm to Mr Niland and to have falsely imprisoned him. Mr Irving has pleaded not guilty to all four charges.
Irish Times
14-07-2025
- Irish Times
Neighbours did not recognise Tom Niland due to injuries sustained in alleged home invasion
A man in his 70s was so badly beaten during an alleged home invasion in Co Sligo that his neighbours did not recognise him walking along the middle of the road covered in blood, a Central Criminal Court trial has heard. Anna and Fiona Calpin said they only realised it was Tom Niland when he spoke to say he had been 'robbed' by three men. A paramedic also told the court Mr Niland was 'crying blood' as a result of the multiple traumatic injuries he sustained to his face and skull. John Irving (31), of Shanwar, Foxford, Co Mayo, is on trial accused of breaking into Mr Niland's house along with Francis Harman (58), of Nephin Court, Killala Road, Ballina, Co Mayo, and John Clarke (37), of Carrowkelly, Ballina, on January 18th, 2022. READ MORE Mr Irving is alleged to have assaulted Mr Niland, leaving him with injuries that caused his death more than 20 months later, on September 30th, 2023. He was 75 when he died. Mr Irving is accused of unlawfully killing Mr Niland at his home at Doonflynn, Skreen, Co Sligo. He is also accused of entering the house as a trespasser and causing Mr Niland serious harm. He is further alleged to have intentionally or recklessly caused serious harm to Mr Niland and to have falsely imprisoned him. Mr Irving has pleaded not guilty to all four charges. Anna Calpin told Tony McGillicuddy SC, prosecuting, that she was walking around outside her home opposite Mr Niland's house with her daughter Fiona when they noticed cars slowing down on the road. They went to see what was happening and saw a man on the road. 'As we approached he 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,' she said. 'When we got closer to him, the first thing we heard was, 'I was robbed', and then we realised it was Tom.' The witness said Mr Niland's face was 'totally distorted', his eyes were swollen and shut, and there was a lot of blood. She said he had a runner on one foot and a shoe on the other but neither was laced up. She recalled Mr Niland telling her 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, which contained €800 or €900. Ms Calpin brought Mr Niland into her home and called an ambulance and the Garda. Fiona Calpin said Mr Niland was 'unrecognisable' until he spoke. Anna Calpin's husband, David Calpin, said he was in his workshop when his daughter came in and said Mr Niland had been 'robbed and assaulted'. Mr Calpin went inside to his neighbour before going across to Mr Niland's house where he saw blood 'running down the glass of the front door', on the driveway and the road. A pair of tights or nylons lay on the driveway. He said he realised it was a crime scene so he left to wait for gardaí to come. George Williams, who works in the ambulance service in Co Sligo, told Mr McGillicuddy he went into the Calpin home and saw Mr Niland with a towel wrapped around his head. When Mr Williams removed the towel, he saw multiple injuries around Mr Niland's face, head and skull. He said Mr Niland's eyes were 'completely swollen shut and he had the appearance as if he was crying blood.' Given Mr Niland's age and the level of trauma, Mr Williams believed the injuries were potentially life threatening so he decided to immediately remove him to an ambulance. Dr Martin Caldwell told Mr McGillicuddy he was the emergency surgeon on duty at Sligo University Hospital when Mr Niland arrived. He said Mr Niland had suffered 'serious and life threatening injuries'. Scans revealed bleeding to the brain, a fracture to the floor of the orb of the right eye and multiple broken ribs on his right side, the court heard. Despite the brain injury, doctors decided it was not necessary to send him to the Beaumont Hospital in Dublin for surgery. Between January 20th and January 26th, Mr Niland made progress and was able to sit on a chair. However, his condition deteriorated at that point and he became more drowsy. He required a ventilator to help him breathe and doctors decided to place him on life support in the intensive care unit. By early March, he had made no progress, Dr Caldwell said, and a consultant neurologist took over his care. Another witness, John Scott, told Mr McGillicuddy he was part of a group of kayakers who were heading out on Lough Easkey in Co Sligo four days after the assault on Mr Niland. As he was placing a kayak into the water, he said he noticed something unusually square under a couple of inches of water by the side of the lake. When he took it from the water he realised it was a wallet. He phoned a friend who is a garda and told him the name Tom Niland was on the ID inside the wallet. He said he did not know the significance of it at the time, but about one hour later, Garda Elaine McAndrew arrived at Lough Easkey and took possession of the wallet. The trial continues before Ms Justice Eileen Creedon and a jury of eight women and four men.
