A Donegal man jailed in connection with an attack on a security guard protecting a repossessed house in Roscommon in 2018 is to appeal his sentence.
PJ Sweeney, of High Cairn, was one of three men jailed for 15 years at Dublin Circuit Court last June.
At the time there was surprise at the severity of the sentence.
Sweeney, aged 59, was jailed alongside Martin O’Toole (59) of Stripe, Irishtown, Claremorris in Co Mayo, and Paul Beirne (57) of Boyle, Co Roscommon, after all three had denied the charges.
At their sentencing hearing, Judge Martina Baxter described the attack as “a case of common design” and she said O’Toole, Sweeney and Beirne engaged and participated in the acts committed on the night, which she said were carried out by “a mob”.
The judge said there was a “gratuitous disregard” for the life of those present and she said the attack was clearly a “terrifying experience” for the four security guards who gave evidence during the trial.
Now it has been revealed that Sweeney is to appear at his appeal on July 18 by Tony Collier, of Ferrys Solicitors LLP.
A legal source familiar with the criminal trial told the Sunday Independent: “Notwithstanding the aggravating nature of the crime, the sentences seemed exceptionally high when compared to other more serious false imprisonment cases, such as tiger kidnappings.”
Sentencing the trio to 15 years last July, Judge Baxter said there was no element of suspension.