Ireland Crime

Named as

Accused, suspect

Born

Between July 1979 and February 1980, from the ages reported

Offences

Aggravated burglary; violent disorder; criminal damage; false imprisonment; assault causing harm; arson; animal cruelty

Where

Co. Roscommon

Reporting

47 reports, 22 Feb 2023 to 28 Jul 2023

Outlets

donegallive.ie, irishtimes.com, leitrimobserver.ie, irishmirror.ie, thejournal.ie, rte.ie, longfordleader.ie, leinsterexpress.ie

Photographs

as published, with the outlet's credit

Images are shown from the outlet that published them and link back to the article. Copyright stays with the credited photographer or agency.

• Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed Aggravated burglary; violent disorder; criminal damage; false imprisonment; assault causing harm; arson; animal cruelty · Co. Roscommon

  On 16 December 2018, a group of approximately 30 armed men attacked four security guards—Ian Gordon, Mark Rissen, John Graham and Gary McCourtney—who were guarding a repossessed farmhouse at Falsk, just outside Strokestown, Co Roscommon. The security guards were beaten, forced to the ground and had their hands tied with cable ties, a Shepherd dog was beaten unconscious and later put down, and three vans and a car were set alight. Four men, Patrick Sweeney (59), Martin O'Toole (60), Paul Beirne (58) and David Lawlor (43), were charged with 17 offences each including aggravated burglary, violent disorder, false imprisonment, assault causing harm, arson and animal cruelty. After a three-month trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Sweeney, O'Toole and Beirne were convicted of 15 charges in June 2023 while Lawlor was acquitted, and each of the three was sentenced to 15 years in prison in July 2023. The Court of Appeal dismissed the three men's appeals against their convictions in July 2024 and dismissed Sweeney's appeal against his sentence in April 2025.

  Sentenced, 28 Jul 2023Accused, suspect · 47 reports

Each entry shows how that report described them.

1. 28 Jul2023
   Sentenceddonegallive.ie, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

   Donegal man gets 15 years in prison for Roscommon attack

   accused, David Lawlor, 43, named, irish (judged from name)David Lawlor43IE
2. 28 Jul2023
   Sentencedirishtimes.com, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

   Strokestown repossession case: Three men sentenced to 15 years each for involvement in ‘mob’ attack

   accused, David Lawlor, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Lawlor♂43IE
3. 9 Jul2023
   In courtleitrimobserver.ie, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

   Man convicted of attack on security guards describes case as “a farce”

   accused, David Lawlor, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Lawlor♂43IE
4. 30 Jun2023
   Convictedirishtimes.com, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

   Man convicted for offences during attack on security guards at repossessed Roscommon farmhouse labels case a ‘farce’

   accused, David Lawlor, 43, named, irish (judged from name)David Lawlor43IE
5. 2 Jun2023
   Convicteddonegallive.ie, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

   Ramelton man convicted over Roscommon vigilante attack

   accused, David Lawlor, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Lawlor♂43IE
6. 2 Jun2023
   Convictedirishmirror.ie, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

   Three men convicted over infamous Roscommon eviction clashes

   accused, David Lawlor, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Lawlor♂43IE
7. 2 Jun2023
   Convictedthejournal.ie, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

   Three men guilty of multiple charges over 2018 attack on security guards at Roscommon farmhouse

   accused, David Lawlor, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Lawlor♂43IE
8. 2 Jun2023
   Convictedleitrimobserver.ie, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

   Three men convicted of multiple charges at repossessed farmhouse near Strokestown

   accused, David Lawlor, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Lawlor♂43IE
9. 2 Jun2023
   Convictedirishtimes.com, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

   Three men convicted over vigilante attack in Strokestown

   accused, David Lawlor, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Lawlor♂43IE
10. 2 Jun2023
    Convictedrte.ie, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

    Three men found guilty over Strokestown attack

    accused, David Lawlor, 43, named, irish (judged from name)David Lawlor43IE
11. 29 May2023
    In courtirishtimes.com, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

    Jury continues deliberations in trial of four men accused of taking part in vigilante attack

    accused, David Lawlor, 43, named, irish (judged from name)David Lawlor43IE
12. 26 May2023
    In courtleitrimobserver.ie, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

    Roscommon eviction trial - jury to continue deliberations on Monday

    accused, David Lawlor, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Lawlor♂43IE
13. 25 May2023
    In courtthejournal.ie, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

    Jury begins deliberations in trial of four men accused of Roscommon vigilante group attack

    accused, David Lawlor, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Lawlor♂43IE
14. 25 May2023
    In courtdonegallive.ie, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

    Jury begins deliberations in Roscommon eviction trial

    accused, David Lawlor, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Lawlor♂43IE
15. 23 May2023
    In courtthejournal.ie, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

    Jury to begin deliberations in trial of four men accused of Roscommon vigilante group attack

    accused, David Lawlor, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Lawlor♂43IE
16. 18 May2023
    In courtdonegallive.ie, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

    Prosecution of Donegal builder 'flawed, contaminated and devoid of fair procedures', trial told

    accused, David Lawlor, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Lawlor♂43IE
17. 16 May2023
    In courtdonegallive.ie, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

    Roscommon eviction trial reaches closing stages

    accused, David Lawlor, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Lawlor♂43IE
18. 26 Apr2023
    In courtthejournal.ie, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

    Security guard of Roscommon repossessed home says he was cut with a blade during alleged attack

    accused, David Lawlor, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Lawlor♂43IE
19. 20 Apr2023
    In courtdonegallive.ie, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

    Donegal builder denies involvement in 'vigilante mob' attack

    accused, David Lawlor, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Lawlor♂43IE
20. 29 Mar2023
    In courtdonegallive.ie, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

    Donegal detective identifies defendant as an alleged attacker

    accused, David Lawlor, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Lawlor♂43IE
21. 28 Mar2023
    In courtlongfordleader.ie, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

    Lawyers in Strokestown assault trial challenge evidence that two mobile phones were taken from one of the accused's home

    accused, David Lawlor, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Lawlor♂43IE
22. 20 Mar2023
    In courtthejournal.ie, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

    Security guard tells Roscommon eviction trial he was 'hit with batons' during alleged attack

    accused, David Lawlor, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Lawlor♂43IE
23. 20 Mar2023
    In courtleinsterexpress.ie, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

    Security guards attacked by men crowbars, a chainsaw, meat cleaver - farm eviction case told

    suspect, David Lawlor, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Lawlor♂43IE
24. 16 Mar2023
    In courtthejournal.ie, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

    Security guard expected to find 'charred dead bodies' at scene of alleged Roscommon farm attack

    accused, David Lawlor, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Lawlor♂43IE
25. 16 Mar2023
    In courtirishtimes.com, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

    Security guard expected to find charred dead bodies at Roscommon house, court hears

    accused, David Lawlor, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Lawlor♂43IE
26. 16 Mar2023
    In courtleitrimobserver.ie, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

    Security guard thought he would find charred dead bodies of his colleagues after attack at repossessed farmhouse

    accused, David Lawlor, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Lawlor♂43IE
27. 16 Mar2023
    In courtleinsterexpress.ie, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

    Eviction trial hears security guard feared he would find burnt bodies

    accused, David Lawlor, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Lawlor♂43IE
28. 15 Mar2023
    In courtthejournal.ie, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

    Garda witness denies error compromised preservation of scene after alleged Roscommon farm attack

    suspect, David Lawlor, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Lawlor♂43IE
29. 15 Mar2023
    In courtleitrimobserver.ie, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

    Garda witness has denied that an error made by a garda investigator cast a question over the credibility of the preservation of the scene

    accused, David Lawlor, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Lawlor♂43IE
30. 13 Mar2023
    In courtthejournal.ie, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

    Roscommon eviction trial hears farm repossession was 'like something out of the wild west'

    accused, David Lawlor, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Lawlor♂43IE
31. 13 Mar2023
    In courtleinsterexpress.ie, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

    Convoy to farm eviction like something out of the wild west court told

    accused, David Lawlor, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Lawlor♂43IE
32. 13 Mar2023
    In courtirishtimes.com, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

    Trial hears group rode in convoy to carry out Roscommon farm eviction ‘like something out of the wild west’

    accused, David Lawlor, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Lawlor♂43IE
33. 13 Mar2023
    In courtleitrimobserver.ie, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

    Trial hears group rode in convoy to carry out eviction at Roscommon farm 'like something out of the wild west'

    suspect, David Lawlor, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Lawlor♂43IE
34. 3 Mar2023
    In courtleitrimobserver.ie, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

    Roscommon eviction trial - Jury shown bodycam footage of farmhouse eviction

    accused, David Lawlor, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Lawlor♂43IE
35. 2 Mar2023
    In courtthejournal.ie, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

    Jury in Roscommon farm attack trial shown bodycam footage of farmhouse eviction

    accused, David Lawlor, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Lawlor♂43IE
36. 2 Mar2023
    In courtirishtimes.com, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

    Security guard in Roscommon eviction trial denies McGanns were assaulted

    accused, David Lawlor, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Lawlor♂43IE
37. 2 Mar2023
    In courtleitrimobserver.ie, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

    Roscommon eviction trial - security guard tells jury he is 100 percent certain that he recognised the voice of one of his attackers

    accused, David Lawlor, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Lawlor♂43IE
38. 1 Mar2023
    In courtlongfordleader.ie, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

    Security guard allegedly attacked in Roscommon tells jury he is 100% certain he recognised voice of one of his attackers

    accused, David Lawlor, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Lawlor♂43IE
39. 1 Mar2023
    In courtleitrimobserver.ie, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

    Roscommon eviction trial - security guard tells jury he was forced to eat the faeces from a guard dog after the animal had been severely injured

    accused, David Lawlor, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Lawlor♂43IE
40. 28 Feb2023
    In courtlongfordleader.ie, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

    Security guard tells jury he was forced to eat dog faeces during alleged Roscommon attack

    accused, David Lawlor, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Lawlor♂43IE
41. 28 Feb2023
    In courtirishtimes.com, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

    Security guard claims man involved in alleged attack at repossessed house assaulted him previously

    accused, David Lawlor, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Lawlor♂43IE
42. 23 Feb2023
    In courtlongfordleader.ie, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

    'I thought I was going to die', security guard tells Roscommon assault trial

    suspect, David Lawlor, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Lawlor♂43IE
43. 23 Feb2023
    In courtlongfordleader.ie, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

    Four men on trial for alleged roles in brutal attack on security personnel at repossessed Roscommon house

    accused, David Lawlor, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Lawlor♂43IE
44. 23 Feb2023
    In courtleitrimobserver.ie, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

    Four men on trial for attack on security personnel guarding a repossessed house in Roscommon

    accused, David Lawlor, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Lawlor♂43IE
45. 22 Feb2023
    In courtirishtimes.com, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

    Four men go on trial for ‘sustained and brutal’ attack on security guards at Strokestown property

    accused, David Lawlor, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Lawlor♂43IE
46. 22 Feb2023
    In courtdonegallive.ie, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

    Ramelton man on trial for brutal attack on security staff guarding repossessed house

    accused, David Lawlor, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Lawlor♂43IE
47. 22 Feb2023
    In courtrte.ie, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

    Four on trial over attack on security guards at house

    accused, David Lawlor, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Lawlor♂43IE

Matched on the name as printed, ignoring quoted nicknames, and split by the ages reported. Two people who share a name and age would appear together here.