Uncle of murdered man 'was not looking for a fight'

The uncle of a man shot in the back at a family funeral has denied suggestions that he was "looking for a fight" outside a Sligo cemetery, the Central Criminal Court has heard.

Defence counsel, Mr Brendan Nix acting on behalf of Michael "Bumbee" McDonagh jnr suggested to Mr "Jaws" Ward snr (aged 63) that he travelled with his son to the funeral for a fight on May 10 1999.

"We were not there for a fight. We were there for a funeral," Mr "Jaws" Ward snr said.

Mr Michael "Hitler Bumbee" McDonagh snr (aged 58), Mr Martin "Bumbee" McDonagh snr (aged 53), Mr Michael McDonagh jnr (aged 29), Mr Patrick McDonagh (aged 33) and Mr Martin "Spider Bumbee" McDonagh jnr (aged 26) from Hertfordshire in London have all denied the murder of Mr Ward.

Mr "Deuce" Ward, (aged 38), a father of six originally from Galway but resident in Manchester, had travelled to Ireland for the funeral of his uncle, Patrick "Skillet" Ward, in Ballymote, Co Sligo on May 10, 1999 when he was fatally shot.

The five have also pleaded not guilty to the possession of a firearm with the intent to in danger life.

They also have denied the attempted murder of Mr Patrick "Jaws" Ward snr, Mr Patrick "Jaws" Ward jnr and Mr Edward "Ned" Ward on the same occasion.