Mick Clifford on the late Padraig Nally and the manslaughter case that divided the nation

Here we reproduce Mick Clifford's report from the 2006 retrial which overturned Padraig Nally's conviction and jail sentence for the manslaughter of John 'Frog' Ward in October 2004

Padraig Nally in 2007 at his home in Funshinaugh, Co Mayo. Having been sentenced in 2005 to six years in prison for the manslaughter of John 'Frog' Ward, his conviction was overturned after a retrial the following year. Picture: Tom Honan

In the old courtrooms, in the round hall of the Four Courts, the accused sits on the end of a bench, removed from the general body of the court. The dock as a concept has long been abolished, but the accused in a criminal trial usually sits alone, opposite the jury.

Throughout the Padraig Nally manslaughter trial, his sister Maureen sat beside him. That was highly unusual. A tourist entering Court 3 on a casual basis might conclude that the man and woman were both on trial for killing a burglar.