Farmer who shot Traveller given gardaí protection
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.
Fears for the safety of the farmer have increased as several Travellers were reported to have arrived in the area over the weekend seeking to find the location of the shooting.
Ward, a 43-year-old father of 11 children, was buried in Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim yesterday following a funeral mass in his native Ballyshannon, Co Donegal.
Extra gardaí maintained a watchful but discreet presence at the ceremonies as large numbers of Travellers from around the country gathered to pay their respects. Among more than 20 wreaths was one of red and white artificial flowers from Ward’s children.
It had a card: “The best daddy in the world. We love you forever.”
Another was shaped to read simply: “John Frog.”
Fr Aodhan Cannon, who officiated at the mass, told the family they had the sympathy of the clergy and the people of Ballyshannon.
He referred to Ward’s “untimely death” which had spread a “black veil” over the weekend.
He urged the congregation to be peaceful towards one another and to care for the bereaved family which was not going to have an easy time during the next few months.
A garda spokesperson said last night the funeral had passed off without serious incident.
Ward’s 18-year-old son, who was with his father at the time of the shooting, fled the isolated farmhouse but was arrested a short while later in the area near Cross, Co Mayo.
He was later released without charge, although he may still face a criminal prosecution in the future.
The dead man, who had a string of criminal convictions for burglary and assault, lived at a halting site in Galway.
Gardaí believe he was one of the leaders of a group of Traveller families who prey on elderly people living alone in remote, rural parts of the west of Ireland.
It is understood the farmer kept the shotgun used in last week’s shooting by his bedside after his home was the target of three separate robberies by burglars in the past 15 months.
He was released without charge last Friday after being detained overnight at Westport garda station.
However, a file on the case has been sent to the DPP who will have to decide whether he will face a murder or manslaughter charge.
It is widely predicted his lawyers will use a plea of self-defence if the case comes to trial.
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