Ireland Crime

Named as

Convicted, accused, suspect

Born

1979, from the ages reported

Offences

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

Where

Co. Roscommon

Reporting

54 reports, 22 Feb 2023 to 10 Apr 2025

Outlets

donegallive.ie, irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie, rte.ie, leitrimobserver.ie, thejournal.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 2023Convicted, accused, suspect · 54 reports

Each entry shows how that report described them.

1. 10 Apr2025
   Otherdonegallive.ie, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

   Donegal man fails in appeal against 15-year sentence for Roscommon 'mob' attack

   convicted, PJ Sweeney, 59, male, named, irish (judged from name)PJ Sweeney♂59IE
2. 31 Jul2024
   In courtdonegallive.ie, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

   Ramelton man fails in bid to overturn conviction for Roscommon 'mob' attack

   convicted, PJ Sweeney, 59, named, irish (judged from name)PJ Sweeney59IE
3. 18 Jul2024
   In courtirishtimes.com, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

   Strokestown eviction vigilantes appeal convictions for roles in ‘mob’ attack

   convicted, PJ Sweeney, 59, male, named, irish (judged from name)PJ Sweeney♂59IE
4. 18 Jul2024
   In courtdonegallive.ie, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

   Donegal man appeals conviction for Roscommon 'mob' attack

   convicted, PJ Sweeney, 59, named, irish (judged from name)PJ Sweeney59IE
5. 12 Oct2023
   Sentencedirishtimes.com, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

   Court rejects inquiry into detention of man convicted of offences at Roscommon farmhouse

   convicted, PJ Sweeney, 44, named, irish (judged from name)PJ Sweeney44IE
6. 28 Jul2023
   Sentencedirishmirror.ie, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

   Heckling in court as three men jailed for 15 years over Strokestown eviction

   convicted, PJ Sweeney, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)PJ Sweeney♂44IE
7. 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

   convicted, PJ Sweeney, 44, named, irish (judged from name)PJ Sweeney44IE
8. 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

   convicted, PJ Sweeney, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)PJ Sweeney♂44IE
9. 28 Jul2023
   Sentencedrte.ie, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

   Three jailed for 15 years each for Strokestown attack

   convicted, Patrick Sweeney, 58, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Sweeney♂58IE
10. 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”

    convicted, PJ Sweeney, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)PJ Sweeney♂44IE
11. 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’

    convicted, PJ Sweeney, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)PJ Sweeney♂44IE
12. 2 Jun2023
    Convicteddonegallive.ie, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

    Ramelton man convicted over Roscommon vigilante attack

    convicted, PJ Sweeney, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)PJ Sweeney♂44IE
13. 2 Jun2023
    Convictedirishmirror.ie, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

    Three men convicted over infamous Roscommon eviction clashes

    convicted, PJ Sweeney, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)PJ Sweeney♂44IE
14. 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

    convicted, PJ Sweeney, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)PJ Sweeney♂44IE
15. 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

    convicted, PJ Sweeney, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)PJ Sweeney♂44IE
16. 2 Jun2023
    Convictedirishtimes.com, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

    Three men convicted over vigilante attack in Strokestown

    convicted, PJ Sweeney, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)PJ Sweeney♂44IE
17. 2 Jun2023
    Convictedrte.ie, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

    Three men found guilty over Strokestown attack

    convicted, Patrick Sweeney, 44, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Sweeney44IE
18. 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, Patrick J Sweeney, 44, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick J Sweeney44IE
19. 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, Patrick J Sweeney, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick J Sweeney♂44IE
20. 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, Patrick J Sweeney, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick J Sweeney♂44IE
21. 25 May2023
    In courtdonegallive.ie, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

    Jury begins deliberations in Roscommon eviction trial

    accused, Patrick J Sweeney, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick J Sweeney♂44IE
22. 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, Patrick J Sweeney, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick J Sweeney♂44IE
23. 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, Patrick J Sweeney, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick J Sweeney♂44IE
24. 16 May2023
    In courtdonegallive.ie, in Appeal against sentence for aggravated burglary at Roscommon farmhouse dismissed

    Roscommon eviction trial reaches closing stages

    accused, Patrick Sweeney, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Sweeney♂44IE
25. 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, Patrick Sweeney, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Sweeney♂44IE
26. 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, Patrick Sweeney, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Sweeney♂44IE
27. 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, Patrick Sweeney, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Sweeney♂44IE
28. 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, Patrick Sweeney, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Sweeney♂44IE
29. 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, Patrick Sweeney, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Sweeney♂44IE
30. 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, Patrick Sweeney, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Sweeney♂44IE
31. 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, Patrick Sweeney, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Sweeney♂44IE
32. 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, Patrick Sweeney, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Sweeney♂44IE
33. 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, Patrick Sweeney, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Sweeney♂44IE
34. 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, Patrick Sweeney, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Sweeney♂44IE
35. 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, Patrick Sweeney, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Sweeney♂44IE
36. 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, Patrick Sweeney, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Sweeney♂44IE
37. 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, Patrick Sweeney, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Sweeney♂44IE
38. 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, Patrick Sweeney, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Sweeney♂44IE
39. 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, Patrick Sweeney, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Sweeney♂44IE
40. 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, Patrick Sweeney, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Sweeney♂44IE
41. 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, Patrick Sweeney, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Sweeney♂44IE
42. 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, Patrick Sweeney, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Sweeney♂44IE
43. 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, Patrick Sweeney, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Sweeney♂44IE
44. 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, Patrick Sweeney, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Sweeney♂44IE
45. 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, Patrick Sweeney, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Sweeney♂44IE
46. 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, Patrick Sweeney, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Sweeney♂44IE
47. 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, Patrick Sweeney, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Sweeney♂44IE
48. 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, Patrick Sweeney, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Sweeney♂44IE
49. 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, Patrick Sweeney, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Sweeney♂44IE
50. 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, Patrick Sweeney, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Sweeney♂44IE
51. 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, Patrick Sweeney, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Sweeney♂44IE
52. 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, Patrick Sweeney, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Sweeney♂44IE
53. 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, Patrick Sweeney, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Sweeney♂44IE
54. 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, Patrick Sweeney, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Sweeney♂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.