Serious assault in Strokestown, Co. Roscommon in 2018

In the early hours of the 16th December 2018 a group of over 20 men went to a property in Falsk, Strokestown. This property had been the subject of an eviction earlier in the month and was being guarded by a number of security personnel, employed by the possessing bank.

The security personnel were seriously assaulted, a guard dog was fatally attacked and a number of vehicles were set alight. In the early stages of the investigation a truck was identified as possibly used to ferry the men to the scene. The tachograph data from the truck was downloaded and examined by the chemistry team in Forensic Science Ireland. The data from the tachograph correlated with a journey through Elphin to and from the farmhouse in Strokestown. This confirmation assisted the Gardaí during interviews with the suspects.

FSI scientists also examined multiple items for DNA, including the steering wheel of this truck which matched the driver and owner of the truck. Canisters of liquids were recovered from within the boundary walls of the property and FSI scientists confirmed they contained accelerants that can be used to start a fire. The tachograph evidence was presented in court during the trial of four men.

Three men were found guilty of multiple charges and were sentenced to 15 year jail terms for the attacks.