Ireland Case No. 3436Robbery (wrongful conviction) · Co. Kildare · 29 Mar 1976
Calls for public inquiry 50 years on from Sallins train robbery
Three men wrongfully convicted by the Special Criminal Court for the 1976 Sallins train robbery are calling for a public inquiry and State apology on the 50th anniversary. The Minister for Justice said a public inquiry is 'not warranted' given the overturning of convictions, a presidential pardon, and financial settlements.
- Reported
- Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports8 statements extracted from the articles
- whatAn estimated £200,000 was stolen in the Sallins train robbery. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThree men were wrongfully convicted by the Special Criminal Court for the robbery. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe IRA claimed responsibility for the robbery in 1980. (irishtimes.com)
- whatNicky Kelly went on hunger strike for 37 days while imprisoned. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceBrian McNally was sentenced to nine years. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceNicky Kelly was sentenced to 12 years in absentia after fleeing Ireland. (irishtimes.com)
- otherNicky Kelly was given a presidential pardon in 1992. (irishtimes.com)
- otherOsgur Breatnach is 75 years old and originally from Arklow, Co Wicklow. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 29 Mar2026‘The case shattered my life’: Calls for public inquiry 50 years on from Sallins train robbery
50th anniversary feature; the three wrongfully convicted men call for a public inquiry and State apology; Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan says a public inquiry is 'not warranted'; a benefit concert for the Sallins Inquiry Now campaign is held in Dublin.
convicted, Osgur Breatnach, 75, male, Irish, named, irishOsgur Breatnachconvicted, Nicky Kelly, male, named, irish (judged from name)Nicky Kellyconvicted, Brian McNally, male, named, irish (judged from name)Brian McNally