Man jailed for ‘terrifying’ attack on security guards appeals sentence

One of three men jailed for 15 years for multiple charges in connection with an attack on security guards protecting a repossessed house in Co Roscommon in 2018 has appealed his sentence.

Patrick Sweeney (59), of High Cairn in Ramelton, Co Donegal, will have his case heard before the Court of Appeal next month.

Sweeney — alongside Martin O’Toole (59) of Stripe, Irishtown, Claremorris in Co Mayo, and Paul Beirne (57) of Boyle, Co Roscommon — was convicted on 15 of 17 charges he faced. All three had denied the charges.

The men were convicted by a jury at Dublin Circuit Court last June of taking part in what was described as a “sustained and brutal” attack in the early hours of December 16, 2018, at the house at Falsk at Strokestown.

At their sentencing hearing, Judge Martina Baxter described the attack as “a case of common design” and she said O’Toole, Sweeney and Beirne engaged and participated in the acts committed on the night, which she said were carried out by “a mob”.

The judge said there was a “gratuitous disregard” for the life of those present and she said the attack was clearly a “terrifying experience” for the four security guards who gave evidence during the trial.

She said the fact one of the security guards was forced to eat the faeces of his dog was “truly callous and horrifying” and the incident amounted to “gratuitous degradation and humiliation”.

The judge said the crimes were “highly organised and deliberate” and there was “calculated brutality” for the purpose of inducing fear in the security guards.

She said the aggravating factors included the premeditation involved as well as the number of victims and the gross violation of their human rights.

Sweeney will be represented in his appeal on July 18 by Tony Collier, of Ferrys Solicitors LLP.

A legal source familiar with the criminal trial said: “Notwithstanding the aggravating nature of the crime, the sentences seemed exceptionally high when compared to other more serious false imprisonment cases, such as tiger kidnappings.”

Sentencing the trio to 15 years last July, Judge Baxter said there was no element of suspension.

During the trial, the court heard the house involved had been repossessed by KBC Bank, and the owner of the property — Anthony McGann, who lived there with two siblings — had been forcibly removed five days earlier. Security personnel were staying at the house, sleeping and keeping watch in shifts.

At around 5am on December 16, 2018, a group of around 20 to 30 people arrived at the property in a truck or a lorry.

They were armed with pickaxes, chainsaws, meat cleavers, baseball bats, a stick with nails in it and hurleys and they forced their way into the house.

The security guards were seriously assaulted. Their vehicles were set on fire, windows and doors in the house were smashed and a German shepherd dog was beaten and had to be put down by a vet.