'Battered OAP Tom was crying blood'

Neighbours 'couldn't recognise him after break-in bashing', court is told, Man denies entering pensioner's house and unlawfully killing him

- EOIN REYNOLDS

A PENSIONER was so badly beaten his neighbours did not recognise him, the Central Criminal Court trial heard yesterday.

Tom Niland's neighbour Anna Calpin and her daughter Fiona only realised it was him when he said he had been "robbed" by three men.

A paramedic said the injuries were so severe it looked as though "he was crying blood".

It's alleged John Irving, 31, broke into his house in Doonflynn, Skreen, Co Sligo, with Francis Harman (58) and John Clarke, 37, in January 2022.

HARM

It is alleged Irving, of Shanwar, Foxford, Co Mayo, assaulted him leaving him with injuries that caused his death on September 30, 2023.

He denies unlawfully killing Mr Niland, entering his home as a trespasser and causing him serious harm.

He further denies having intentionally or recklessly caused serious harm and to have falsely imprisoned him.