A man has admitted his role in the killing of retired Sligo farmer, Tom Niland.
John Irving, from Shanwar, Foxford, Co Mayo, went on trial last week, but pleaded guilty to the manslaughter charge when the jury returned to court this morning.
After five days of evidence before the Central Criminal Court, John Irving today pleaded guilty to the unlawful killing of Tom Niland, a retired farmer in his 70s.
Mr Niland died in hospital almost two years after Irving and two other men broke into his home in Skreen, Co Sligo and assaulted him on the 18th of January 2022.
Since the trial opened, the jurors heard from neighbours of Mr Niland, one of whom saw him bloodied and disorientated as he walked across the road from his home.
He said he’d been robbed by three men, who took his wallet, which had 8 or 900-euro in it.
His wallet was later found several kilometres away, along with gloves, one of which tested positive for DNA from John Irving.
Other forensic and CCTV evidence was presented to the jury before Irving decided to admit his guilt this morning.
In October, he and two other men will be sentenced for their roles in what happened.
