Spectre of crime haunts isolated areas

THE Padraig Nally case encapsulated all the fears that pervade those who live in isolated outposts of rural Ireland.

On October 14, 2004, Nally shot dead John Ward, who, along with his son, had called to the Co Mayo farmer’s property.

Nally had lived in fear since a burglary some months previously. He was so afraid he kept an ancient shotgun by his bed. Other nights he whiled away the fear by relocating to a shed, where he awaited burglars.