The trial is underway at the Central Criminal Court of the man accused of the manslaughter of retired pensioner farmer Tom Niland from Co. Sligo.

Today (Thursday, July 10), the court heard that gardaí discovered a glove containing both the blood of Tom Niland and DNA that matched that of the man accused of his unlawful killing.

Prosecutor senior counsel Tony McGillicuddy today opened the trial of John Irving, who denies breaking into then 73-year-old Tom Niland's home in January 2022 with two other men and assaulting him, causing his death.

The senior prosecuting counsel told the jury that following the assault on Tom Niland, a kayaker at a nearby lake found a wallet containing the pensioner's identification.

When gardaí searched the area, they found gloves. Forensic scientists discovered DNA in one of the gloves that matched two men who the prosecution said carried out the assault with John Irving - John Clarke and Francis Harman.

DNA from blood on the outside of that glove matched Tom Niland, counsel said.

Tony McGillicuddy said another glove found at the same location contained John Irving's DNA inside and Tom Niland's blood on the outside.

The prosecuting barrister said that it is the state's case that John Irving (31) of Shanwar, Foxford, Co. Mayo broke into Tom Niland's house along with Francis Harman (58) of Nephin Court, Killala Road, Ballina, Co. Mayo and John Clarke (37) of Carrowkelly, Ballina.

He said they assaulted Tom Niland leaving him with injuries that resulted in him going into intensive care. He died a little over 20 months later, counsel said.

The prosecutor said that Tom Niland did not die as a 75-year-old man through natural causes but from complications due to blunt force trauma to his head as a result of a "serious, sustained, prolonged assault perpetrated on him in his own house in rural county Sligo".

He said it is the prosecution case that Irving was one of three men who broke into Tom Niland's home that night, assaulted him and left him there.

Irving faces four charges in total. It is alleged that he unlawfully killed Tom Niland on September 30, 2023 having assaulted him on January 18, 2022 at Tom Niland's home at Doonflynn, Skreen, Co Sligo.

It is further alleged that on January 18, 2022, at Doonflynn, Irving entered Tom Niland's home as a trespasser and caused him serious harm.

He is further alleged to have intentionally or recklessly caused serious harm to Tom Niland and to have falsely imprisoned him.

Irving pleaded not guilty to all four charges. He is on trial before Justice Eileen Creedon and a jury of eight women and four men.

By Eoin Reynolds