Man pleads not guilty to manslaughter of Sligo farmer

Updated / Wednesday, 9 Jul 2025 20:06

A Co Mayo man has pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to the manslaughter of Tom Niland, a 74-year-old retired farmer from Skreen in Co Sligo, who died in September 2023.

31-year-old John Irving from Shanwar, Foxford in Co Mayo pleaded not guilty to a total of four charges including the unlawful killing of Mr Niland on 30 September 2023 at Doonflynn, Skreen.

He also denied a charge of entering the home of Tom Niland as a trespasser on 18 January 2022, causing Mr Niland serious harm and a charge of intentionally or recklessly causing him serious harm on the same date.

He also denies a further charge of falsely imprisoning Tom Niland.

A jury has been sworn in before Judge Eileen Creedon at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin.

She told the jurors that the accused had pleaded not guilty to manslaughter and to other related charges.

The trial is expected to last two weeks, with the jurors told they should be available until 29 July.

Evidence in the case will begin from 11am tomorrow morning before a jury of eight women and four men who have now been sworn in.