Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 7434Aggravated burglary · Co. Sligo · 18 Jan 2022

Funeral of attack victim Tom Niland in Co Sligo

On January 18, 2022, Tom Niland, a 75-year-old man, was the victim of an aggravated burglary at his home in Co Sligo, in which a knife was allegedly used. He was left with serious head and upper body injuries and paralysed from the neck down, and was in intensive care unable to talk. Three men from Co Mayo, Francis Harman (55), John Clarke (34) and John Irving (29), have been charged with aggravated burglary with a knife, assault causing serious harm and false imprisonment, and are before the courts; these are allegations. Mr Niland died in hospital shortly before his funeral at St Adamnan's church, Skreen, Co Sligo, on October 5, 2023.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court5 Oct
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Tom Niland, a 75-year-old man, was the victim of an aggravated burglary.
  • Tom Niland was left with serious head and upper body injuries and was paralysed from the neck down.
Where
The attack happened at Tom Niland's home in Co Sligo.
When
The attack happened on January 18, 2022.
Weapon
The attack involved a knife.
Other details
  • Tom Niland was in intensive care and unable to talk after the attack.
  • Tom Niland lived alone.
  • Tom Niland died in hospital after the attack, before his funeral.
  • Tom Niland's funeral was held at St Adamnan's church, Skreen, Co Sligo, on October 5, 2023.
Charges
Francis Harman (55), John Clarke (34) and John Irving (29), all from Co Mayo, have been charged with aggravated burglary with a knife, assault causing serious harm and false imprisonment.
In court
The three men are before the courts over the alleged incident.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatTom Niland was the victim of an aggravated burglary. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatTom Niland was left with serious head and upper body injuries. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe attack left Tom Niland paralysed from the neck down. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe attack happened at Tom Niland's home. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe attack happened on January 18, 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
  • weaponThe aggravated burglary involved a knife. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThree men have been charged with aggravated burglary with a knife, assault causing serious harm and false imprisonment. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe three men are before the courts over the alleged incident. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherTom Niland was in intensive care and unable to talk after the attack. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe three accused men are from Co Mayo. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 5 Oct2023
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Attack victim Tom Niland's 'peaceful and tranquil life' remembered at funeral

    Funeral report on the victim, Tom Niland, who died in hospital after the attack. It adds that he was paralysed from the neck down, that the attack involved a knife, and that three men from Co Mayo face charges.

    victim, Tom Niland, 75, male, irish (judged from name)Tom Nilandaccused, Francis Harman, 55, named, irish (judged from name)Francis Harmanaccused, John Clarke, 34, named, irish (judged from name)John Clarkeaccused, John Irving, 29, named, irish (judged from name)John Irving