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06 Sept 2025

Who was Padraig Nally? Farmer jailed for shooting John 'Frog' Ward has died

Padraig Nally, who spent eleven months in jail after shooting John Ward, passes away aged 81

Who was Padraig Nally? Farmer jailed for shooting John 'Frog' Ward has died

The late Padraig Nally (Pic: Michael Donnelly)

Padraig Nally, who was jailed after shooting dead a man who arrived at his property, has died. 

The Mayo farmer hit the headlines in October, 2004, when he shot John ‘Frog’ Ward after he arrived at his property. 

The bachelor then handed himself into gardaí following the incident and spent eleven months in prison for manslaughter after being acquitted of murder. Mr Nally had pleaded not guilty to all charges. 

His conviction was later quashed and after a retrial in December 2006, Mr Nally was found not guilty of manslaughter.

The incident sparked a national debate over the right to defend one’s property and eventually led to changes in the laws concerning self-defence.

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He had long been fearful that someone would rob his property and would often spend hours waiting in his shed with his gun.

Mr Nally, who was 81, said he still feared for his safety long after the incident. 

His funeral details have yet to be announced.

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