'A lovely man': Condition of pensioner assaulted in Sligo burglary has 'deteriorated significantly'

A man in his 70s is on life support following an aggravated burglary in Sligo.

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to provide information on "a vicious and cowardly aggravated burglary and assault" in Sligo which has left a man in his 70s in a critical condition.

At approximately 7pm, Tuesday January 18, three masked men forced their way into a private house on the N59 in Skreen, Sligo.

Thomas Niland (Tom), a 73-year-old bachelor and the sole occupant of the house, was watching TV when he answered a knock to his front door.

According to Gardaí, Tom was "immediately and viciously assaulted and a small sum of money was stolen".

The culprits left Tom with serious head and upper body injuries, though he managed to crawl from his home and alert passing motorists along the N59 which is the main route between Sligo and Ballina.

Gardaí were then alerted by his neighbors and Tom was transferred to Sligo University Hospital, where his condition "has deteriorated significantly" according to Superintendent Mandy Gaynor.

Tom is now in a critical condition and on life support.

Cllr Michael Clarke, who is a lifelong friend of Tom Niland, told Morning Ireland: "We were all shocked, then we turned to outrage and now sadness over this brutal attack on this absolute gentleman.

"A lovely man, 6'2", a very fit, active pensioner, had a long life ahead of him, a friend to everybody, would help anybody that needed help and we're all saddened to hear now that his life is in danger.

"We all support the gardaí's efforts and we know the guards are doing everything they can. They spent three days in the house trying to obtain ballistics (sic) and DNA and stuff like that and they have carried out enquiries and they've had checkpoints"

"This is a terrible crime, these people that break into senior citizens' homes and assault them, and rob them, there has to be proper deterrents put in place and we hope that the Dáil will have another look at this to ensure that deterrents are put in.

"We have to send a message to our senior citizens that we hear them, we are concerned for them and we're thinking about them now at this time.

"There was a vigil on Saturday night in Corballa, about 50 people gathered in prayer because Tom's life is in so much danger now.

"He had a small farm himself, he worked on a neighbouring large farm with beef and cattle and he worked very hard up until his retirement.

"He was an active member of the IFA and went to many protests in Dublin to support the farming community and was there all his life to support people and help people.

"He was in no way vulnerable and we were never concerned about his health or his being alone because he's such a strong, fine man and for this to happen is terrible."

Speaking at a media briefing at Sligo Garda Station at the weekend, Superintendent Mandy Gaynor said "no stone will be left unturned" in the investigation into the assault.

"It is believed that the attackers arrived in a car, which reversed into the driveway of Tom’s house," Supt Gaynor added.

"It is not known at this time, if any person remained in the car during the course of the attack."

A Garda family liaison officer was appointed to Tom’s family immediately after the incident and An Garda Síochána continues to support his family at this time.

A large-scale criminal investigation was launched with an incident room was established at Sligo Garda station the same day as the incident and a Senior Investigating Officer appointed along with a team of experienced detectives and gardaí.

A number of checkpoints and house to house enquiries in the area yielded some information shortly after the incident.

Gardaí have recovered hours of CCTV footage, taken a number of statements and developed a number of lines of enquiry to date including forensic analysis of the scene by Scenes of Crime Officers supported by the Garda National Technical Bureau.

"An Garda Síochána continue and will continue investigating all the circumstances relating to this aggravated burglary during which Tom was assaulted. No stone will be left unturned," said Supt Gaynor.

"Gardaí are appealing for any person with any information on this vicious and cowardly aggravated burglary and assault on Tom to contact us immediately."

Gardaí are appealing to every person who was driving along the N59 (Sligo/ Ballina Road), in the Skreen area, on Tuesday January 18 between 4pm – 8pm, who may have dashcam or any other video footage to contact investigating gardaí.

Gardaí are also appealing for any person, who noticed any activity by persons or vehicles which drew their attention, in the wider N59 Skreen locality to contact gardaí with that information, "whether you think it is related to this investigation or not".

Speaking today Superintendent Mandy Gaynor, Sligo Garda Station appealed: "There are people out there who know who was involved in this aggravated burglary and serious assault on an elderly man in his home.

"Thomas Niland and his family deserve to have these criminals who carried out this heartless act brought to justice."

If you have any information on this callous and cowardly crime please contact Sligo Garda Station on 071 915 7000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station."