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. 9518Attempted murder · Co. Offaly · 21 Mar 2025

Two brothers on trial for attempted murder at Offaly halting site

On 21 March 2025, two brothers, Anthony McDonagh and Michael McDonagh, were allegedly shot in the chest at an unofficial halting site in Kilcruttin, Co Offaly. Patrick 'Pa' Ward (38) of Kilcruttin and John Pio Ward are charged with attempting to murder them, and both have pleaded not guilty to all charges. Gardaí searched Patrick Ward's home in April 2025 and found a gun in a garden shed, which a garda later agreed was an air gun. The trial before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury is ongoing at the Central Criminal Court, and on 19 May 2026 the jury heard John Pio Ward's garda interview, in which he said the allegation against him was 'lies 100 per cent'.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court19 May
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Two brothers are on trial at the Central Criminal Court charged with attempting to murder another pair of brothers.
  • Anthony McDonagh told the trial that up to 15 people from a neighbouring halting site came to the unofficial site where he lived with his family.
Cause
  • Anthony McDonagh told the trial that Patrick Ward shot him in the chest outside his home.
  • Michael McDonagh told the trial he is 100 per cent certain that John Pio Ward shot him in the chest.
Where
The alleged attempted murders took place at an unofficial halting site in Kilcruttin, Co Offaly.
When
The alleged offences took place on 21 March 2025.
Investigation
  • Gardaí searched Patrick Ward's home in April 2025 and found a small brown or black gun in a garden shed.
  • Under cross-examination, a garda agreed that the guns found in the shed were air guns.
Charges
  • Patrick Ward is charged with attempting to murder Anthony McDonagh.
  • John Pio Ward is charged with attempting to murder Michael McDonagh.
  • Both accused men also face charges of possession of firearms and violent disorder at Kilcruttin halting site on the same date.
In court
  • Both accused men have pleaded not guilty to all charges.
  • The trial is before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of seven men and five women.
Other details
John Pio Ward told gardaí that the allegation he shot Michael McDonagh was 'lies 100 per cent'.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatTwo brothers are on trial at the Central Criminal Court charged with trying to murder another pair of brothers at an unofficial halting site in Co Offaly last year. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatAnthony McDonagh told the trial that up to 15 people from a neighbouring halting site descended on the unofficial site where he lived with his family. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatAnthony McDonagh said Patrick Ward shot him in the chest outside his home. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatMichael McDonagh told the trial he is 100 percent certain that John Pio Ward shot him in the chest. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereThe attempted murders are alleged to have taken place at the unofficial halting site in Kilcruttin. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe alleged offences took place on March 21, 2025. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationGardaí searched Patrick Ward's home in April 2025 and found a small brown/black gun in a garden shed. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationUnder cross-examination, the garda agreed that the guns found in the shed were air guns. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargePatrick Ward is charged with attempting to murder Anthony McDonagh. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeJohn Pio Ward is charged with the attempted murder of Michael McDonagh. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeBoth accused men face further charges of possession of firearms and violent disorder at Kilcruttin halting site on the same date. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe two accused have pleaded not guilty to all charges. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe trial is before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of seven men and five women. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherJohn Pio Ward told gardaí that the allegation that he shot Michael McDonagh was lies. (offalyexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 19 May2026
    In courtoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    Accused told gardai allegation he shot neighbour in Offaly was 'lies 100 per cent'

    Reports the trial at the Central Criminal Court, including victims' evidence, garda evidence about guns found at the accused men's homes, and the accused men's interview responses denying involvement.

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