Four men have gone on trial in connection with what the prosecution described as "a sustained, brutal and violent attack designed to terrorise security personnel" guarding a repossessed house in Co Roscommon four years ago.
The four are each charged with 17 offences including false imprisonment, assault causing harm, arson, aggravated burglary, criminal damage, robbery, violent disorder and animal cruelty at Falsk, just outside Strokestown on 16 December 2018.
Patrick Sweeney, 43, of High Cairn, Ramelton, Co Donegal, 58-year-old Martin O'Toole from Stripe, Irishtown, Claremorris in Mayo, 56-year-old Paul Beirne from Croghan, Boyle in Roscommon and David Lawlor, 43, of Bailis Downs, Navan, Co Meath, all pleaded not guilty to all the charges in court today.
The prosecution case is that at around 5am on 16 December 2018, around 20 to 30 people wearing balaclavas, hoodies and yellow fluorescent jackets arrived at the repossessed house in Falsk outside Strokestown, armed with chains, pickaxe handles, a meat cleaver, baseball bats and hurleys.
The court was told the door was smashed with a sledgehammer and four security men on duty were attacked. They were forced to the ground, had their shoes removed, and their hands were tied with cable ties.
The windows and doors of the house were smashed, the men’s vans and cars were set alight and a German Shepherd dog who was with them was beaten unconscious and had to be put down. One of the men’s watches was also stolen.
The house and the surrounding 12-13 hectares had been repossessed by the bank five days previously and Anthony McCann who lived there and his two siblings had been forcibly removed.
Senior Counsel Tony McGillicuddy told the jury that they would hear things during the course of the trial that were emotional in Irish history; the concept of repossession had a historical resonance, security men and the banks have a controversial history.
He said people may have views on people not paying their debts, but whatever views one has on those matters, biases or sympathies for one group or another, he asked the jury to put them aside in considering this case.
He asked the eight men and four women to focus on the evidence itself and the charges that are there and whether they consider any charges have been proven.
"Regardless of whatever activism or beliefs they had or cause they felt they were acting out, whatever claim, campaign or entitlement," he said.
"It provides absolutely no justification for the assault and violence perpetrated on the security men that night nor can it justify such actions."
The trial before Judge Martina Baxter continues tomorrow.
