Farmer who shot Traveller given gardaí protection

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.

Gardaí investigating the fatal incident are understood to have increased patrols around the home of the farmer in the aftermath of last Thursday’s tragedy.

John “Frog” Ward, a Traveller with a criminal history, died from a shotgun wound he received from a legally held weapon fired by the bachelor farmer.