Three men further remanded in custody in Tom Niland case

Three Co Mayo men charged in connection with an aggravated burglary at the home of farmer Tom Niland (73) have been further remanded in custody at Sligo District Court.

The accused who are charged with aggravated burglary with a knife at the home of Mr Niland at Doonflynn, Skreen, Co Sligo, on January 18th were remanded in custody to appear again on March 24th.

There was no application for bail at Wednesday's brief hearing before Judge Sandra Murphy.

Edward Bradbury, solicitor for one of the defendants , John Irving (28) of Shanwar, Foxford, Co Mayo, indicated he would be applying for bail at the next sitting. Mr Irving was remanded to appear in person at the March 24th court sitting.

The other two accused John Clarke (33) of Carrowkelly, Ballina, and Francis Harmon (54) of Nephin Court, Killala Road, Ballina, were remanded in custody to appear by video link on March 24th. Solicitor Mark Mullaney for Mr Clarke told the judge he was not making any bail application. He said he did not know if there would be a bail application on March 24th but if there was, he would let the State know in advance.

Mark Loftus, solicitor for Mr Harmon, told the court he was not making a bail application at this point.

Mr Niland remains in a critical condition at Sligo University Hospital.