Family of Tom Niland didn't recognise farmer in hospital after killers' brutal attack, sentencing told

"The retired farmer died 20 months after he was set upon by a gang on January 18, 2022"

"The family of a retired farmer who died 20 months after being violently attacked by a gang in his Sligo home didn't recognise him in hospital due to the severity of his injuries."

"A cousin of Tom Niland (75) has also told the Central Criminal Court that the three offenders, who have over 100 previous convictions combined, robbed a fit and healthy man of his independence, his freedom, and ultimately his life."

Tom Niland, aged 75, died 20 months after being set upon by a gang in his Sligo home on January 18, 2022. The attack produced severe injuries that left him unrecognisable to his family when he was admitted to hospital. A cousin told the Central Criminal Court that three offenders, who have over 100 previous convictions combined, carried out the assault. The cousin said the attackers robbed a fit, healthy retired farmer of his independence, his freedom, and ultimately his life, with the fatal outcome occurring nearly two years after the attack.

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