Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 2981Attempted murder, possession of firearms, violent disorder · Co. Offaly · 21 Mar 2025

Brothers acquitted of attempted murder after double shooting at Offaly halting site

Patrick Ward (38) and John Pio Ward (42) were found not guilty by a majority verdict at the Central Criminal Court of attempting to murder Anthony McDonagh (40) and Michael McDonagh (46) during a shooting incident at an unofficial halting site in Kilcruttin, Tullamore, Co Offaly, on 21 March 2025. Both men were also acquitted of possession of firearms and violent disorder.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Acquitted28 May
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThree members of the Ward family, who are first cousins of the defendants, as well as Michael McDonagh, were involved in the altercation. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe victims were shot in the chest, neck and face. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe attack took place at an unofficial halting site in Co Offaly. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe victims were attacked some time before 10.12pm when a 999 call was made to emergency services. (irishtimes.com)
  • weaponPellets from a shotgun were embedded in the victims' bodies next to vital organs. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargePatrick Ward of Kilcruttin, Tullamore, Co Offaly was charged with attempting to murder Anthony McDonagh (40). (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeJohn Pio Ward of Kilcruttin was charged with the attempted murder of Michael McDonagh (46). (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeBoth accused faced further charges of possession of firearms and violent disorder. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtTwo brothers were found not guilty of attempting to murder another pair of brothers. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe jury at the Central Criminal Court rejected the evidence of victim Anthony McDonagh. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe jury of seven men and five women deliberated for four hours and 20 minutes before delivering majority verdicts. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge Paul McDermott told the jury he would accept a majority verdict after just over four hours of deliberation. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtBoth defendants denied all charges and were found not guilty on all counts. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 28 May2026
    Acquittedirishtimes.com, first report
    Brothers cleared of attempted murder after double shooting

    Reports the majority acquittal of the Ward brothers on all charges, including details of the jury deliberation, the victims' evidence, and the State's case regarding the shooting at the halting site.

    victim, Anthony McDonagh, 40, male, irish (judged from name)Anthony McDonaghvictim, Michael McDonagh, 46, male, irish (judged from name)Michael McDonaghaccused, 38, male, irish (judged from name)accused, John Pio Ward, 42, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Pio Ward