The youngest of three men held in custody on charges of aggravated burglary at the home of 73-year Tom Niland in west Sligo last January is to seek bail later this month.
The case against all three came before Sligo District Court this morning, Wednesday.
The three accused are 28-years old John Irving, Shanwar, Foxford; 33-years old John Clarke, Carrowkelly, Ballina; and 54-years old Francis Harmon, 10 Nephin Court, Killala Road, Ballina.
All three men, who continue to held in custody, are charged that on the 18th of January last at Doonflynn, Skreen, they committed burglary at the home of Tom Niland and had a weapon of offence, a knife.
At this morning’s sitting of Sligo District Court, solicitor Mark Mullaney for John Clarke, told Judge Sandra Murphy his client had instructed him he did not want to make an application for bail.
Clarke was remanded in custody to March 24th, to appear by video link before Harristown Court.
Solicitor Marc Loftus for Francis Harmon said he was seeking an adjournment of the case by consent to March 24th and for the accused to then also appear by video link.
Mr Loftus said there was no application for bail in Harmon’s case.
In the case of John Irving, solicitor Edward Bradbury told Judge Murphy there will be an application for bail on the next court date.
Meanwhile, Irving will also continue to be held in custody until March 24th, when he is to appear in person before Sligo District Court.
All three have already been granted free legal aid.
Meanwhile, Tom Niland remains on life support in Sligo University Hospital.
