Further evidence in Nally trial

The jury in the trial of a County Mayo farmer accused of the manslaughter of a father-of-eleven over two years ago has been shown maps of where the killing took place.

Padraig Nally, aged 62, of Funshinaugh Cross, Claremorris was joined in court today by his sister Maureen, who sat by his side in a packed Central Criminal Court.

He has pleaded not guilty to the unlawful killing of John ‘Frog’ Ward, a 42-year-old Traveller on October 14th 2004.

At the start of today’s hearing, counsel for Mr Nally, Brendan Grehan SC said a number of facts were being accepted by the defence.

These were that the scene where the incident occurred and all exhibits and items had been properly preserved and handled by the Gardaí.

It was also accepted the deceased was John Ward and he said there was also no issue in respect of the interviewing of Mr Nally, the taking of a statement prior to his arrest and the lawfulness of that arrest and his subsequent detention.

Detective Garda Laura Bolger told counsel for the prosecution she had prepared maps from the area of the incident close to the border between Galway and Mayo.

She pointed out a number of sheds, old abandoned cars, trees, two trailers and a lawnmower which had been marked on the map of the Nally farm.

Outside the backdoor of the dwelling house she said the location of a stick had been marked following her visits to the farm between Thursday October 14th and Saturday October 16th 2004.

She said she had also identified a number of areas of red staining, including on the edge of the gate posts to the farm. She said there were also tyre tracks at the entrance and then back out onto the main roadway.

The trial continues before Mr Justice Kevin O’Higgins and a jury of eight men and four women.