Brothers cleared of attempted murder after double shooting
Two brothers have been found not guilty of trying to murder another pair of brothers during an attack at an unofficial halting site in Co Offaly last year, during which there was “pandemonium”, with shots fired and children forced to search for cover.The jury at the Central Criminal Court rejected the evidence of victim Anthony McDonagh, who described “locking eyes” with the accused, Patrick “Pa” Ward (38), before the latter allegedly 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 per cent” that the second accused, John Pio Ward (42), shot him in the chest.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”.READ MORESalesman who earns €160,000 says ‘no-fault’ sacking made him ‘damaged goods’How a viral Wicklow ‘hills’ video shows why Ireland is visible from Wales in hot weatherLet’s talk about the GAA and a dangerously stupid culture of violenceJeffrey Donaldson told alleged victim he would ‘pray’ for her and was ‘seeking help from God’, trial hearsThe panel of seven men and five women deliberated for four hours and 20 minutes before delivering their majority verdicts on Thursday in the trial of the Ward brothers. The jury was initially told they had to be unanimous in their verdicts, but after deliberating for just over four hours, Judge Paul McDermott told them he would accept a majority verdict.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 21st, 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 possession of firearms and violent disorder at Kilcruttin halting site on the same date.The two defendants, who had denied all of the charges, were found not guilty on all counts.It had been the State’s case that a group of men were involved in a violent altercation at 9.50pm on March 21st outside Tullamore Hospital – three members of the Ward family, who are first cousins of the two defendants, as well as the victim Michael McDonagh. The trial heard that minutes after Michael McDonagh arrived home to the unofficial site that night, a large group appeared, “having come from the official halting site”.“Some members of the group were in possession of firearms, and shots were discharged,” prosecution counsel Kevin White told the jury. He said “pandemonium” ensued, and people including children were forced to look for cover.The jury heard Anthony and Michael McDonagh were attacked at the unofficial site some time before 10.12pm that night, when a 999 call was made to emergency services. The court heard the victims were shot in the chest, neck and face, with pellets from a shotgun have embedded in their bodies next to vital organs. Both men were “very lucky” not to experience serious complications or even death, the trial heard.
