Travellers hit out as Nally cleared of manslaughter
Angry Travellers tonight hit out at a court decision to acquit a farmer of killing a member of their community.
Padraig Nally (aged 62) denied the manslaughter of John Ward on his land in Funshinaugh, Cross, Co Mayo, on October 14, 2004.
The jury of four women and eight men at Dublin Central Criminal Court took almost 16 hours to find the farmer not guilty.
The trial heard that Mr Nally beat Mr Ward 20 times with a stick and shot him twice with a single-barrel shotgun, after he found him on his property.
Pavee Point spokesman Martin Collins said after the verdict: “I’m very, very angry as most Travellers are. We’re absolutely appalled that such a verdict could be arrived at by a jury given the incredible details that emerged during the trial.
“It adds insult to injury for Travellers. It compounds the grief the Ward family has been suffering for the last couple of years. They always felt on trial by the media.
“The signal it sends out is that a Traveller’s life is of no value. The signal it sends out is that a Traveller’s life has no worth.”
Mr Nally, whose sister Maureen sat beside him, showed no reaction as the verdict was delivered at the Dublin court.
Mr Justice Kevin O’Higgins thanked the jury for their efforts during the trial.
“Thank you very much for the care and consideration you have given to this case,” he said.
The judge said it was clear the jury had taken their duty very seriously.
He excused them from jury service for 10 years and told them they were free to go.
“The accused may be discharged,” he said.
