Sligo farmer injured in burglary passes away

A county Sligo farmer who was severely injured in a burglary last year has died.

Tom Niland, aged 75, was injured during a burglary of his home near Skreen in Co Sligo in January 2022. He was rushed to Sligo University Hospital with severe injuries and remained on a ventilator following the incident.

Cousin Michael Walsh remained with Tom for several nights before he passed away at 6.15am on Saturday morning. He described the past 20 months as “extremely difficult”.

“It’s such a relief to Tom, he had nothing (in terms of quality of life), it was a terrible time from beginning to end because when he was able to communicate slightly with us and had the awareness he could not move then it was very distressing for him,” he added.

Tom was moved out of intensive care two months ago and into the stroke unit with staff hoping that the extra activity might stimulate his mind. However, it made little difference.

Michael recalled how the physiotherapists worked hard to help Tom, but sadly there was no improvement.

“I saw him looking down and trying to move his limbs and it never worked and the more he tried the more we tried to encourage him. A big strong active man like Tom, it was soul destroying for him.”

Mr Walsh said the family received “messages from people across the world” who did not even know Tom. Many said they were touched my his smile in photographs released following the original incident.

Dozens of neighbours and friends have left flowers and lights outside the front of the home.

“It’s almost become a shrine and people have jammed flowers up beside the gate,” he added.

A post-mortem examination took place yesterday (Monday).

Three men have been charged with assault causing serious harm, false imprisonment and aggravated burglary.

They were due before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court today (Tuesday) but the case is expected to be adjourned until after the funeral.

No date had been set for the funeral at the time of going to press.