Fund for upkeep of farm owned by Nally established

Supporters of jailed farmer Padraig Nally have set up a fund for the upkeep of his Co Mayo farm.

Members of the public are also being urged send Christmas cards to Mr Nally in the Midlands Prison.

The bachelor, 61 was jailed for six years last month for the manslaughter of Traveller John ’Frog’ Ward as he retreated from his property in October 2004.

Earlier this week the Central Criminal Court refused leave to appeal against the conviction.

Padraig Nally Support Group spokesman Paddy Rock said today: “We have set up the fund to maintain Padraig’s farm and house.

“It will go towards feeding his livestock and keeping his bills paid, like the rental on his telephone so it isn’t cut off.”

Mr Rock also urged people to send Christmas cards to Mr Nally in the Midlands Prison in Portlaoise.

“Padraig won’t be getting out for Christmas so it will be a show of solidarity if he gets the cards,” he added.

A national rally to protest at Mr Nally’s sentence had been planned for Athlone in November but it was cancelled because the organisers believed it had developed into an anti-traveller event.

Minister for Justice Michael McDowell said in the Dáil last month that he would consider all proposals to give homeowners more legal protection when confronting burglars.

A property owner can use justifiable force under closely-defined circumstances under the 1997 Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.

But Mr McDowell said there was a delicate balance between the use of force and the protection of all citizens, but added he was open to constructive suggestions.

“While we all strive to protect ourselves, our families and our property from potential danger, we must also be accountable for the actions we take in such a situation if they go further than is reasonable in the circumstances,” he said.

“Nobody in this House would suggest that anybody should be at liberty to, having shot somebody and beaten them, to go back into their shed on their property, reload their weapon and go and hunt for them and finish them off,” he added.

The Padraig Nally fund is based in Bank Of Ireland, Headford, Co. Galway, Sort Code 90-38-75; A/c Number 84788818.