The trial of two men charged with falsely imprisoning, robbing and using force on a priest has ended following a direction from the judge to the jury that the defendants be found not guilty.
At Castlebar Circuit Court, sitting in Westport yesterday, Judge Carroll Moran directed Mr Charles Conroy (17), of Tullyvoheen, Clifden, Co Galway, and Mr Paddy Sweeney (25), of Port Lane, Port Road, Letterkenny, Co Donegal, be acquitted of the charges in relation to an attack in his home on Father Paddy Gilligan, parish priest of Achill Sound, Co Mayo, on January 8th, 1999.