Relative fears that ‘only a miracle’ will save Tom Niland

A relative of Tom Niland, who is on life support in hospital after being badly beaten during an aggravated burglary at his Co Sligo home, has said that only a miracle is likely to save the 73-year-old farmer at this stage.

Michael Walsh, a cousin of Mr Niland’s, said he is worried when the phone rings that it might be the hospital calling with bad news.

He said he had been asked what he would say to those involved in the attack at Mr Niland’s home in Skreen, but that he did not believe he would have anything to say to such “vile” people.

“They do not think like us. To think of what they did, how they kicked him in the head, it would make you throw up,” Mr Walsh said.

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“How can anyone get up in the morning and know that this will be their work for the day, to bring a 73-year-old to the brink of death. They jumped on his head. How did they think they would not kill him with that brutality?”

While Mr Niland was able to talk to him in the hospital intermittently on a number of occasions, Mr Walsh said he was shocked by his cousin’s appearance and the extent of his injuries .

“His head was two or three times bigger, they broke his eye socket, he had broken ribs and various other injuries.”

Missing mobile phone

Mr Walsh said he was frustrated to learn that should Mr Niland’s missing mobile phone be located, it might not be of much evidential value due to a recent advisory opinion on the use of mobile data from the Court of Justice of the EU in an appeal by convicted murderer Graham Dwyer.

A wallet taken during the burglary was later recovered near Lough Easkey. It is understood that the Garda Water Unit has already searched the lough and that a follow-up search may be carried out this week.

“I thought it would be crucial to find the phone but I have bee told that any information found might not be legally admissible,” said Mr Walsh. “It is an absolute disgrace if that is true. I think this type of thing should actually be classed as terrorism as it is terrorism in the community and the law should be changed. Nobody would object except the kind of thugs involved in this.”

Mr Walsh said he brought another phone into Mr Niland who managed to call him once despite his injuries. However, he said the farmer’s conditon deteriorated dramatically after having surgery and that he is now on a ventilator and unresponsive.

Asked whether he believes those responsible will be arrested, Mr Walsh said it would not be for the want of trying on the part of gardaí. He said he was hopeful that searches for DNA at the scene “and under Tom’s fingernails” might yield evidence which would be helpful in tracking down the gang.