Last Thursday, three men with 106 previous convictions were sentenced to a combined 43 years in prison for the brutal attack and robbery that led to the death of 75-year-old rural Sligo bachelor who spent his last 20 months on life support in hospital.
Michael Walsh said his cousin, Tom Niland, who died on 30 September 2023 "can now rest in peace" following the prison sentences that were handed to John Irving, aged 31, Francis Harman, aged 58, and John Clarke, aged 37.
The retired soft-spoken farmer, described as a true gentleman and a treasured member of the community, lived alone in an ordinary house in Skreen, a small parish in the north west.
Mr Niland was watching television after picking up groceries at the local shop in Dromore West on 18 January 2022.
Between 6pm and 7pm that evening, he answered his front door to Irving, Harman and Clarke.
The three masked men forced their way into Mr Niland's home and subjected him to a brutal attack and aggravated burglary.
They continued to attack him as he lay on the ground and stole money from his pocket. The house was ransacked and kitchen cabinets were pulled apart.
Superintendent Tom Colsh said the three individuals were reckless, had no regard for Mr Niland who suffered horrific injuries and left the house with a small sum of money.
Earlier that evening, some 35km west of Skreen in Ballina, the three men went to a garage where they were left unable to pay for diesel they had put into their Vauxhall van.
Harman told the garage owner that he would be back later to pay for the fuel. They returned to clear the bill after subjecting Mr Niland to the attack.
The trial at the Central Criminal Court heard the three individuals carried out a reconnaissance mission and identified Mr Niland’s home.
Following the attack, Mr Niland managed to crawl from his home, raise the alarm with neighbours who did not recognise him - such was the extent of his injuries.
Doctors at Sligo University Hospital found his injuries to be similar to those that might be inflicted from a head-on crash or a fall from a ladder.
Although he displayed early signs of progress, he was put on a ventilator in intensive care eight days after the assault and did not recover.
Mr Justice Paul McDermott said it was an unlawful killing of a savage kind. He said Mr Niland "must have been terrified" adding that elderly people living alone were entitled to assume their home is a safe place.
The attack happened in the days before the Taoiseach announced the end of almost all Covid-19 restrictions.
At a time when the country was about to see the lifting of most Covid-19 restrictions, what happened to Mr Niland - cut to the heart of a rural community, who rallied in support of the ensuing criminal investigation.
Outside the court on Thursday evening, Michael Kelly said his family were very grateful to all those people, neighbours and friends who gave "their time to search in the roads and ditches for 20km in the worst possible weather that year".
Mr Kelly paid tribute to gardaí for their "commitment, kindness and professionalism" in the investigation into the killing.
"From the outset they pursued the criminals with unwavering relentless determination, deploying every possible resource and mounting an operation the likes of which Sligo has never seen before," he added.
That cooperation was echoed by Supt Colsh who acknowledged an "overwhelming level of support and cooperation from the community and their invaluable assistance" throughout the investigation.
Last Thursday, John Irving from Shanwar, Foxford, Co Mayo, who has 57 previous convictions and was previously arrested in connection with two other similar attacks on elderly men, received a sentence of 16 years with the final year suspended.
Francis Harman of Nephin Court, Killala Road, Ballina, Co Mayo, who has 22 previous convictions including one for theft, one for drugs and the remainder for road traffic offences, was sentenced to 15 years with the final year suspended.
John Clarke of Carrowkelly, Ballina, Co Mayo, who has 27 previous convictions including theft, drugs, burglary, endangerment, criminal damage and a threat to kill, was sentenced to 15 years in prison with the final year suspended.
Cllr Michael Clarke, part of a group from west Sligo who travelled in support of Mr Niland’s family to the Central Criminal Court, said the sentencing was "a "Veronica Guerin moment in the north west".
Cllr Clarke spoke of the court’s recognition that Mr Niland’s actions helped ensure convictions, however he said the convictions did not define Mr Niland or bring him back.
Mr Justice McDermott said Mr Niland should not be defined by how he died but by how he lived, referencing the loving sentiments from the victim impact statement.
As we visited Ballymote Mart on Thursday afternoon, farmers spoke of "an absolute gentleman who always helped and was very loyal to anyone that looked for him" and the former anchor "in the local tug of war team".
Several hours before Mr Niland was brutally assaulted and robbed, he visited Feeney's Centra in Dromore West.
Shop owner Blair Feeney recalls Mr Niland getting his "few bits and pieces" that evening before they parted, wishing each other well.
"He was always very friendly, he was a well-respected gentleman in the community and beyond. We’re still heartbroken," he said.
What happened to Mr Niland had deeply affected the west Sligo community and the entire country. How could such a horrific incident happen?
The statements delivered on the steps of the Central Criminal Court heard no person should ever endure such an ordeal in the sanctuary of their own home and, no family or community should have to endure the ensuing pain and emotional trauma.
Read more: Tom Niland 'unrecognisable' after attack, say family
Supt Colsh thanked and acknowledged the investigation and the prosecution teams in what he described as "a very difficult and complex investigation".
As the clocks go back next weekend and sunset falls an hour earlier, the darkness of winter nights have long been associated with criminal activity in rural areas.
On the steps of the Central Criminal Court, Supt Colsh asked all members of the community to continue to work together with them to help keep their community safe.
Community bonds have been the lifeblood of Irish society; Peter Diamond, an 82-year-old farmer who knew Mr Niland said "he was very loyal to anyone that looked for him".
"He went to the Men’s Shed every Monday evening. He did a computer class, and he was progressing the same as the rest of us.
"Years ago, we didn't have to lock the door if we went out. Now, even - if you lock the door - you don’t know who's coming at night," he added.
We can all take steps to look out for our neighbours, just as Mr Niland did before his peaceful, well lived life was tragically taken.
Mr Diamond’s parting words in Ballymote captured the thoughts of many - "it’s very sad, all I can say is, ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam".
