Pavee Point Press Release: Nally Acquittal
Press Release - Thursday, 14th December 2006Pavee Point is deeply concerned at the implications of the acquittal of farmer Padraig Nally in today’s retrial for the manslaughter of John Ward.
Pavee Point believes that today’s judgement will significantly undermine the belief of Travellers that they can get a fair trial in Ireland.
Pavee Point believes that it is difficult to see how a fair minded jury could acquit Nally on the basis of the evidence that showed that John Ward was killed by a shot in the back as he was departing Nally’s farm, after he had been beaten 20 times by a wooden plank and after he had already been shot.
The outcome of this re-trial sends out a message to all the Traveller community in Ireland that it is acceptable to kill a Traveller who is perceived to be trespassing or ‘up to no good’. The question that needs to be asked is that if John Ward was not a Traveller, would Padraig Nally be walking free tonight?
There is considerable dismay among Travellers this evening and the thoughts of many are with Marie Ward and her 11 children who have lost a husband and a father.
Pavee Point has consistently condemned anti social and criminal behaviour from any quarter. Pavee Point has also consistently condemned people who take the law into their own hands, whether this is Travellers or members of the settled community. Pavee Point is concerned that as a result of this judgement there is now a green light to people taking the law into their own hands and that any Traveller who is entering a premises for legitimate or illegitimate purposes can no longer be expected to be afforded fair consideration and/or protection by the law.
Further information: Martin Collins/Ronnie Fay/Terry Battles 01 8780255
Ends.
Statement from Marie Ward December 14, 2006
"John Ward, was a loving husband and father to us, his wife and eleven children. We have to live with the fact that John will never return to us. Our lives will never be the same after his death. The law should not allow Padraig Nally, the man who took my husband’s life, to walk free. No one has a right to take someone elses life away."
"Whenever I or my children go out on to the street we feel people are staring at us. This is a very uncomfortable experience. Padraig Nally killed my husband. My husband was the victim. My husband’s untimely death has been difficult for me and my children to cope with. We must try now and rebuild our lives and we would ask the media to respect our privacy in what is a very upsetting and emotional time for us."