IN the space of 24 hours this week, two events highlighted the disturbing fault-line in attitudes to violence and gun crime in Irish society.

The jury in the manslaughter trial of a Co Mayo farmer is to resume its deliberations this morning.

WITH aggravated burglary on the rise in Ireland, the vexed question perplexing home-owners up and down the country is whether force can be used in self-defence against intruders — and what constitutes “reasonable” force.

THE Court of Criminal Appeal has quashed the manslaughter conviction of Co Mayo farmer Padraig Nally and ordered a retrial.

THE landmark decision by the Court of Criminal Appeal to quash the manslaughter conviction of Mayo farmer Padraig Nally and order his retrial for the fatal shooting of Traveller John “Frog” Ward will inevitably recall the bitter divisions that erupted between settled and Travelling communities during the murder trial.

A FARMER jailed for six years for shooting dead a Traveller on his land will this week make a bid for freedom.

SUPPORTERS of jailed farmer Padraig Nally have set up a fund for the upkeep of his Co Mayo farm.

AN elderly Mayo farmer who shot dead a Traveller outside his home last week has been given garda protection amid fears he could be the target of a revenge attack.