Courts / Offaly / Report
Attempted murder accused told gardai that allegation was 'lies 100 percent'
Summary
Patrick Pa' Ward (38) and John Pio Ward (42) are on trial at the Central Criminal Court for attempting to murder the McDonagh brothers at an unofficial halting site in Co Offaly on 21 March 2025. Patrick Ward is charged with attempting to murder Anthony McDonagh (40) and John Ward with attempting to murder Michael McDonagh (46). Both men denied the allegations, describing the accusations as "lies 100 percent" and claiming they were shocked to be named. They said they had no contact with the McDonaghs and had never left their own yards that night. Garda investigations found small black guns in Patrick Ward's shed and in John Ward's caravan, which the accused said were air guns or BB guns belonging to their children. Both accused pleaded not guilty to all charges, including possession of firearms and violent disorder, and the trial continues tomorrow before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of seven men and five women.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Attempted murder accused told gardai that allegation was 'lies 100 percent'. Charges or matters: attempting to murder Anthony McDonagh (40) at the unofficial halting site on March 21, 2025; the attempted murder of Michael McDonagh (46) at the same location on the same date; all charges. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- March 21, 2025 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 21 Incident
- April 2025 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 22, 2025 Other
- April 23, 2025 Incident
- April 23 Incident
- 2026-05-18 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: attempting to murder Anthony McDonagh (40) at the unofficial halting site on March 21, 2025; the attempted murder of Michael McDonagh (46) at the same location on the same date; all charges (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Accused
Charges: attempting to murder Anthony McDonagh (40) at the unofficial halting site on March 21, 2025; the attempted murder of Michael McDonagh (46) at the same location on the same date; all charges (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- was interviewed at Tullamore Garda Station
- Tullamore
- brought him to Tullamore Garda Station
- Tullamore
- Tullamore Hospital
Topics
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