Five plead not guilty to Ward murder
A jury was sworn in today at Dublin’s Central Criminal Court to hear the trial of five Travellers facing multiple murder and attempted murder charges.
The five accused, who all have addresses in Hampstead, England, are charged in relation to incidents surrounding the fatal shooting of Patrick ‘Jaws’ Ward at a funeral in Ballymote, Co Sligo in May 1999.
Martin McDonagh, Snr; Martin McDonagh, Michael McDonagh, Snr; Michael McDonagh, Jnr; and Patrick McDonagh Jnr are all charged with the murder of Ward.
All five are also charged with the attempted murder of Edward ‘Ned’ Ward on the same date.
They are also charged with violent disorder and with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
The trial, which is expected to last up to six weeks, will be heard by Mr Justice Iarla O’Neill tomorrow morning.
A sixth accused man is also facing trial in January in relation to charges arising from the same funeral.
