After John Irving (31), of Shanwar, Foxford, Co Mayo, pleaded guilty this morning to Mr Niland's unlawful killing, Ms Justice Eileen Creedon discharged the jury which had been hearing evidence in the trial.

John Irving is accused of entering Tom Niland's home as a trespasser and causing him serious harm. He is further alleged to have intentionally or recklessly caused serious harm to Mr Niland and to have falsely imprisoned him.

Tom Niland, 74, (pictured) died on September 30th, 2023, more than 20 months after he suffered serious injuries following an alleged home invasion on January 18th, 2022.

It comes just one week after two teenagers died in the water in Co Donegal.

The sole occupant of the second vehicle, a woman in her 50s, was also taken to the hospital for assessment.

The Sligo Detective Unit searched a residential property in the Cranmore area and found a total of 7.5kg of cannabis.

The drugs seized will be sent to Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) for analysis.

Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene and the road is currently open.

29 year old Sasha Murray, originally from Maugherow was one of 15 people rescued, sustaining an injury to her leg.

A cairn at Carrowkeel in County Sligo was badly defaced last autumn with spirals, circles, and the names of mythological gods scratched into the surface of the rock.

Gardaí said a male teenager, who had been driving the car, was pronounced dead at the scene.