Courts / Kerry / Report

"Mutilated" farmer's character "shredded" during trial, victim's family tell court

Date
2018-11-26

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Ballyduff

County
Kerry

Summary

During a two‑week trial in Tralee, dairy farmer Michael Ferris (63) was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter for the death of neighbour Anthony O'Mahony (73) on 4 April 2017. Ferris admitted to blocking a small road with a New Holland teleporter and driving it at O'Mahony's car, causing catastrophic injuries that killed him. The victim impact statement, read by O'Mahony's brother Seamus, described the brutal nature of the attack and the emotional toll on the family, who feel their brother's good character was unfairly attacked in court. Seamus expressed fear that Ferris might "snap again" and that the family will live in fear of encountering him on the road. The statement highlighted the family's isolation and the lasting pain of the incident. The court has remanded Ferris in custody until his sentencing on 3 December.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: "Mutilated" farmer's character "shredded" during trial, victim's family tell court. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

April 4, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
April 4 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
Saturday, April 2 2017 Other
October 2016 Other
April 3, 2017 Other
December 3 Adjournment
2018-11-26 Publication

Why: The defence argued that there had been cumulative provocation because of the behaviour of the deceased and the fair and just verdict would be manslaughter. Defence account reported by CNI

Case subjects

Michael Ferris

Defendant

Outcome: The testimony was heard as part of a victim impact statement read by the deceased's nephew on behalf of his father Seamus O'Mahony, brother of Anthony O'Mahony, during Michael Ferris' sentence hearing today.