Mick Clifford: Padraig Nally's death a reminder that old prejudices haven't gone away

Padraig Nally was at the centre of a manslaughter case that divided a nation and his RIP.ie condolence page had to be taken down after a number of anti-Traveller comments that were described as 'vile' and 'racist'

Padraig Nally at the Four Courts in Dublin in 2006 where he was found not guilty of the manslaughter of John Ward in October 2004. File photo: Chris Maddaloni/Collins

Padraig Nally was laid to rest in Cross, Co Mayo, last Monday. He was 81 years of age and died after an illness having led a typical rural farming life. 

He was well-regarded by friends and neighbours alike. If he hadn’t shot dead John ‘Frog’ Ward whom he believed to be intent on robbing his farm it’s highly unlikely he would ever have been known outside a scattered community in rural south Mayo.