Teenage boys who were punched, headbutted and threatened by a businessman in Sligo have said they have suffered significantly as a result of the ordeal they endured, a court has heard.
The incident occurred on March 18, 2024, at the North West Business Park in Collooney, where two Sligo businessmen were later charged in connection with the alleged assault and false imprisonment of three teenage boys. According to court proceedings, the youths reported lasting psychological and physical effects following the confrontation, which involved threats and violence.
On Tuesday, April 22, 2026, Mr Leo Mulrooney BL, representing the State, informed Judge Keenan Johnson at Sligo Circuit Court that a jury would not be required for the case, as both accused had indicated their intention to plead guilty to the charges brought against them. The prosecution confirmed that the men would be sentenced on Friday, April 24, 2026, following their guilty pleas to multiple charges relating to the incident involving the three youths.
The case was first brought before Sligo District Court in June 2025, where the two businessmen appeared before Judge Michael Connellan charged with the false imprisonment of three teenage boys. At that stage, the allegations centered on the unlawful detention and intimidation of the minors during the March 2024 encounter at the business park.
Details presented in court highlighted that the teenagers had described being subjected to physical violence, including punches and headbutts, as well as verbal threats during the incident. The court heard testimony regarding the impact on the boys’ wellbeing, with references to ongoing distress and anxiety stemming from the attack.
Journalist Emma Gallagher reported for the Irish Independent on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, that sentencing proceedings would proceed as scheduled on Friday at the Circuit Court, noting that legal representatives for both the State and the defence had confirmed the absence of a trial due to the guilty pleas entered by the defendants.
The prosecution, led by Mr Leo Mulrooney BL with State Solicitor Ms Elisa McHugh, outlined the factual basis for the charges during the hearing, emphasizing the gravity of the offences committed against minors in a public business setting. No trial was deemed necessary given the admissions of guilt.
As the case moves toward sentencing, the focus remains on the consequences for the victims and the accountability of the perpetrators. The court is expected to consider victim impact statements and the nature of the violence when determining appropriate penalties for the two businessmen.
The next confirmed step in the legal process is the sentencing hearing scheduled for Friday, April 24, 2026, at Sligo Circuit Court, where Judge Keenan Johnson will deliver the penalties following the guilty pleas.
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