Three men have been convicted for their part in a vigilante attack on members of a security group who were guarding a repossessed farmhouse in Strokestown in 2018.
A fourth man facing charges in relation to the same incident was acquitted by the jury.
Following a three-month trial at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, the jury returned its verdict last Friday after deliberating for almost 14 hours.
PJ Sweeney (44), a builder from High Cairn, Ramelton, Co. Donegal was found guilty of the false imprisonment and assault causing harm to Ian Gordon, Mark Rissen, John Graham, and Gary McCourtney at Falsk, Strokestown on December 16th, 2018. He was also found guilty of aggravated burglary, three counts of arson, criminal damage, violent disorder and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal by causing or permitting it to be struck on the head. He was acquitted of one count of arson and one count of robbery.
Mayo farmer Martin O’Toole (58), of Stripe, Irishtown, Claremorris was found guilty of false imprisonment and assault causing harm to Ian Gordon, Mark Rissen, John Graham and Gary McCourtney on the same date. He was also convicted of violent disorder, three counts of arson, and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal. He was found not guilty of robbery of a wristwatch from John Graham and one count of arson in relation to a car.
Cattle farmer Paul Beirne (56) of Croghan, Boyle, Co. Roscommon was also found guilty of the false imprisonment and assault causing harm to the four men, aggravated burglary, three counts of arson, criminal damage, violent disorder and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal. He was acquitted on one count of arson and one count of robbery.
The jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts in respect of the charge of violent disorder faced by O’Toole, Sweeney and Beirne, and a majority of 11 to one on the other 14 charges of which they were convicted.
David Lawlor (43), a security worker with an address at Bailis Downs, Navan, Co. Meath was found not guilty of the 17 charges he faced.
Judge Martina Baxter remanded Sweeney, Beirne and O’Toole into custody to appear again before the court for a sentence hearing on June 30th.
