I want my gun back: Nally
Evening Herald
Padraig Nally was cleared of manslaughter.
Manslaughter acquitted Padraig Nally says he now wants gardai to return the gun he used to kill burglar John "Frog" Ward.
The Mayo farmer has demanded the return of his shotgun, claiming he is living in fear of being attacked at his home again.
Mr Nally (64) was cleared of manslaughter after shooting dead Traveller Mr Ward, who he caught breaking into his home four years ago.
He now maintains: "Everyone is saying I should have a gun."
Mr Nally said he was informed at the time of the trial that he would not be allowed to have a firearm again under any circumstances, but had since been told he was now entitled to one because of his acquittal.
"It's a lonely life living on your own and to worry about people coming back again to abuse you or threaten your life again like before, when my house was broken into and I had to defend myself.
"Under the same circumstances, I cannot use the same force again because my gun has been taken, so you have to fight it out now a different way.
"I haven't enquired into it fully, but I know everyone is saying I should have a gun at the present moment."
Jail
Mr Nally was cleared of the manslaughter of Mr Ward, whom he shot twice and beat with a stick before leaving for dead. He spent 11 months in jail before he was freed.
Before the killing, the farmer had been tormented by burglars and frequently slept in his shed to protect himself.
Mr Nally said he regrets shooting Mr Ward but insisted he had "no choice".
"When a man attacks you, you have to defend yourself, you have no choice. And I was attacked. "
- Andrew Phelan
