Patrick Ward and John Pio Ward were charged with attempting to murder Anthony McDonagh and Michael McDonagh during an attack at an unofficial halting site in Co Offaly on March 21, 2025. The incident involved shots fired and children being forced to find cover amid “pandemonium.” Anthony McDonagh testified that he “locked eyes” with Patrick Ward before being shot in the chest. Michael McDonagh testified that he was “100 percent” sure John Pio Ward shot him in the chest. The jury rejected both accounts and also considered testimony from Eileen McDonagh, who said her partner “didn’t do it.” The jury returned majority not-guilty verdicts on all counts after deliberating for four hours and twenty minutes.
"The jury at the Central Criminal Court rejected the evidence of victim Anthony McDonagh, who described "locking eyes" with Patrick 'Pa' Ward (38) before the accused man shot him in the chest outside his home.They also rejected the evidence of father-of-eight Michael McDonagh, who told the trial he was "100 percent" that the second accused, John Pio Ward (42), shot him in the chest."
"The panel of seven men and five women deliberated for four hours and twenty minutes before delivering their majority verdicts today in the trial of the Ward brothers. The jury was initially told that they had to be unanimous in their verdicts, but after deliberating for just over four hours, Mr Justice Paul McDermott told them that he would accept a majority verdict."
"Defence witness Eileen McDonagh said she was "devastated" when she found out her two brothers - Anthony and Michael - had been shot, but she told the Central Criminal Court that her partner Patrick 'Pa' Ward "didn't do it"."
"Patrick Ward, of Kilcruttin, Tullamore, Co Offaly, was charged with attempting to murder father of five Anthony McDonagh (40) at the unofficial halting site on March 21, 2025. John Pio Ward, also of Kilcruttin, was charged with the attempted murder of Michael McDonagh (46) at the same location on the same date. Both accused men faced further charges of the possession of firearms and violent disorder, at Kilcruttin halting site on the same date."
Read at Irish Independent
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