Four cleared of cousin's murder

Four Travellers have been cleared by a jury at the Central Criminal court in Dublin of the murder of their cousin in Co Sligo in 1999.

The jury is still considering a charge of murder against Michael "Hitler Bumbee" Mc Donagh Snr (aged 58) and another charge against him of possession of a firearm.

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 were all found not guilty of the murder of Mr Patrick "Deuce'' Ward (aged 38), on May 10, 1999 at Carrownanty cemetery, Ballymote, Co Sligo before the funeral of his uncle.

They were also cleared of the attempted murder of Mr Patrick "Jaws" Ward snr, Mr Patrick "Jaws" Ward jnr and Mr Edward "Ned" Ward on the same date.

The jury is still considering a charge of violent disorder against three of the men cleared of the murder charge. Patrick Mc Donagh has been acquitted of all the charges.

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, in Ballymote, Co. Sligo on May 10, 1999 when he was fatally shot.

After the jury's verdict, members of the Ward family shouted out : "An eye for an eye lads."

The jury was sent to a hotel last night after failing to reach a verdict.