Thursday 29 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. 9459Attempted murder · Co. Offaly · 21 Mar 2025

Closing speeches in trial of two men charged with attempted murder at Offaly halting site

Patrick 'Pa' Ward (38) and John Pio Ward (42) are on trial at the Central Criminal Court, charged with the attempted murder of Anthony McDonagh (40) and Michael McDonagh (46) at an unofficial halting site in Co Offaly on the night of 21 March 2025. No one was arrested at the scene, and both men were charged and pleaded not guilty to all charges, which also include firearms possession and violent disorder charges linked to Kilcruttin halting site. Defence witnesses, including Eileen McDonagh, gave evidence on 20 May 2026. On 22 May 2026 the prosecution asked the jury for guilty verdicts on the three charges and the defence asked for not guilty verdicts, and the trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court20 May
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Patrick 'Pa' Ward (38) and John Pio Ward (42) are on trial charged with attempting to murder Anthony McDonagh (40) and Michael McDonagh (46), another pair of brothers.
  • Anthony McDonagh says he saw Patrick Ward with a gun and that Patrick Ward shot him in the chest outside his home.
  • Michael McDonagh says he is 100 percent sure John Pio Ward shot him in the chest.
  • Up to 15 people from a neighbouring halting site allegedly came to the unofficial site.
Where
The attack happened at an unofficial halting site in Co Offaly where Anthony McDonagh lived with his family.
When
The incident took place on the night of 21 March 2025, before a 999 call was made at 10.12pm.
Weapon
The two victims were hit by shotgun pellets in the chest, neck and face, with pellets embedded next to vital organs, and the firearms and ammunition were never recovered.
Investigation
No one was arrested at the scene, and there was no CCTV footage or maps of the location.
Charges
  • Patrick Ward and John Pio Ward are each charged with attempted murder at the unofficial halting site on 21 March 2025.
  • Both accused also face charges of possessing firearms and violent disorder at Kilcruttin halting site on the same date.
In court
  • The trial is before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of seven men and five women at the Central Criminal Court, and both accused pleaded not guilty to all charges.
  • Eileen McDonagh gave evidence in Patrick Ward's defence, and defence lawyers called several witnesses, including two alibi witnesses, after the prosecution case ended.
  • Prosecutor Kevin White SC asked the jury for guilty verdicts on the three charges, and defence counsel asked for not guilty verdicts on all charges.
Other details
  • The defence says the McDonagh brothers are lying and colluding to falsely accuse the two men, and that Anthony McDonagh had no idea who shot him and was behind a fence.
  • Five men were involved in a violent altercation outside Tullamore Hospital at 9.50pm on 21 March.
31 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatTwo brothers are on trial charged with trying to murder another pair of brothers at an unofficial halting site in Co Offaly. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatUp to 15 people from a neighbouring halting site allegedly came to the unofficial site where Anthony McDonagh lived with his family. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatAnthony McDonagh says Patrick Ward shot him in the chest outside his home. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatMichael McDonagh says he is certain John Pio Ward shot him in the chest. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatThe two victims were shot in the chest, neck and face. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatAnthony McDonagh says he saw Patrick Ward with a gun before being shot in the chest. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatMichael McDonagh says he is 100 percent sure John Pio Ward shot him in the chest. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereThe attack happened at an unofficial halting site in Co Offaly. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe incident took place on the night of 21 March 2025. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe brothers were attacked at the halting site before 10.12pm, when a 999 call was made. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • weaponPellets from a shotgun were embedded in the victims' bodies next to vital organs. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • weaponThe victims were hit by pellets from a shotgun. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • weaponThe firearms and ammunition used at the site were never recovered. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationNo one was arrested at the scene, and there was no CCTV footage or maps of the location. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargePatrick 'Pa' Ward is charged with attempting to murder Anthony McDonagh at the unofficial halting site on 21 March 2025. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeJohn Pio Ward is charged with the attempted murder of Michael McDonagh at the same location and date. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeBoth accused face further charges of possessing firearms and violent disorder at Kilcruttin halting site on the same date. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargePatrick Ward is charged with attempting to murder Anthony McDonagh at the unofficial halting site on 21 March 2025. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeBoth accused face further charges of possessing firearms and violent disorder at Kilcruttin halting site. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe trial is being heard at the Central Criminal Court. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtEileen McDonagh gave evidence in Patrick Ward's defence. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtLawyers for the two accused called several defence witnesses after the prosecution case ended. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtBoth accused have pleaded not guilty to all charges. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of seven men and five women. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherFive men were involved in a violent altercation outside Tullamore Hospital at 9.50pm on 21 March. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defence says the McDonagh brothers are lying and colluding to falsely accuse the two men. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherDefence counsel says Anthony McDonagh had no idea who shot him and was behind a fence. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherProsecutor Kevin White SC gave the closing speech. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe prosecution asked the jury to return guilty verdicts on each of the three charges. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherDefence counsel asked the panel to find his client not guilty of all charges. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe two accused have pleaded not guilty to all charges. (offalyexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 22 May2026
    In courtoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    Isn't 'an iota' of evidence to support testimony of Offaly father of five

    Reports closing speeches in the Central Criminal Court trial of the two Ward brothers; the case is not in the existing list.

    accused, Patrick 'Pa' Ward, 38, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick 'Pa' Wardaccused, John Pio Ward, 42, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Pio Wardvictim, Anthony McDonagh, 40, male, irish (judged from name)Anthony McDonaghvictim, Michael McDonagh, 46, male, irish (judged from name)Michael McDonagh
  2. 20 May2026
    In courtoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    Partner of man on trial for attempted murder tells jury he didn't shoot her brother

    Reports the ongoing trial: the prosecution case has closed, defence witnesses have given evidence, including the partner of Patrick Ward and two alibi witnesses, and both accused have pleaded not guilty.

    accused, Patrick 'Pa' Ward, 38, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick 'Pa' Wardaccused, John Pio Ward, 42, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Pio Wardvictim, Anthony McDonagh, 40, male, irish (judged from name)Anthony McDonaghvictim, Michael McDonagh, 46, male, irish (judged from name)Michael McDonagh