Widow awarded €722,000 following lengthy legal battle

The widow of a Co Sligo man who was gunned down in 1999 has been awarded nearly €750,000 in a long legal battle against the men responsible for his murder.

Margaret Madden, owner of a B&B at Lough Gara House in Monasteraden, sued four men for the loss of her husband and her own nervous shock, and distress.

She suffered a heart attack when she heard a loud bang and ran downstairs to find her husband face down by the car outside their house covered in blood.

Terence Madden bled to death having been shot in both legs at close range.

She has sued the four men for damages, including three who were convicted by the Special Criminal Court for the murder – Michael Doohan of Ahsbury Lawns, Ballinode, Joseph Herron, formerly of Chapel Street, Ballyshannon, Co Donegal and Patrick McGrath formerly of Gurteen, Co Sligo.

The fourth man pleaded guilty to possession of a sawn-off shotgun.

The court heard this was a contract shooting ordered by former member of the defence forces, neighbour Michael Doohan, in a grudge over the Maddens running a bed and breakfast business near his mother’s B&B.

Ms Justice Mary Irvine noted Margaret Madden suffered flashbacks and still has trouble sleeping.

Margaret Madden was awarded €722,000 in damages.