A man accused of the unlawful killing of 75-yr-old Tom Niland, who was assaulted in his own home and left to die by a group of three men, has now pleaded guilty, reports RTE.
On the fifth day of the court proceedings, 31-yr-old John Irving admitted to manslaughter, becoming the third individual to do so in connection with Mr Niland’s death. Mr Niland had sustained traumatic brain injuries, a fractured eye socket, and several broken ribs as a result of the violent incident.
It can now be disclosed that last week, 58-yr-old Francis Harman, from Nephin Court, Killala Road, Ballina, Co Mayo, and 37-yr-old John Clarke, from Carrowkelly, Ballina, also pleaded guilty to the same charge, reports RTE.
Mr Niland had been placed on life support after the assault but succumbed to his injuries 20 months later.
His attackers stole his wallet, which contained between €800 and €900, and went on to Casey’s garage in Ballina, Co Mayo, where they paid cash for fuel and other items, reports RTE.
Just hours before, they had left the same garage without settling the bill for diesel already pumped into their Vauxhall Vivaro van.
Harman, who was driving the vehicle, had assured the garage owner he would return later to make the payment, reports RTE.
Following Irving’s guilty plea this morning to the unlawful killing of Mr Niland, Ms Justice Eileen Creedon dismissed the jury that had been hearing the case.
The trio had entered Mr Niland’s house between 6pm and 7pm on 18 January 2022, at Doonflynn, Skreen, Co Sligo, reports RTE.
They assaulted him, stole his wallet, and then drove to Lough Easkey where they discarded gloves, the wallet, and other evidence that could implicate them in the crime.
A short time after 7pm, neighbours spotted Mr Niland attempting to cross the road, his eyes swollen shut and his face bloodied. They said he was “unrecognisable” due to the severity of his injuries, reports RTE.
At Sligo University Hospital, doctors discovered bleeding on his brain, a fracture to the right eye socket, and numerous broken ribs.
While he initially showed some improvement, he was placed on a ventilator in the ICU eight days after the attack and never recovered.
Mr Niland died on 30 September 2023 at the age of 75, reports RTE.
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