A GALWAY city man told Galway Circuit Criminal Court yesterday he knew he was going to be shot as he looked down the barrels of a shotgun pointed at him at close range as he sat in a delivery van.
Martin Ward (26), of Corrach Buí, Rahoon, told the jury he knew he was going to be shot, and he recognised his attacker from his build, facial features and from his voice as he shouted at him, “you are going to get it now.”
He was shot at close range by a gunman at 10pm on April 18th last at Whitestrand Road, Salthill, Galway, as he tried to take his seat belt off and flee for his life.
His right thumb was completely blown off, and his index finger was almost severed by the shotgun blast. Pellets lodged in his abdomen and right leg.
Prosecuting barrister Conor Fahy told the jury the prosecution case would prove that Martin Ward was “100 per cent sure” the accused, Anthony McDonagh (42), of Tulach Ard, Circular Road, Galway, had carried out the shooting.
“Martin Ward just saw the front of the barrels of a double-barrel shotgun being pointed at his face and he said to the defendant ‘please Anthony, don’t shoot me’.
“He knew the accused from his build as he is a weightlifter. He grew up knowing him, and both families used to be friendly.”
Mr Fahy said it would be alleged the accused told the victim: “you will not be able to hit no one now”, before shooting him once as he tried to get out of the van.
Martin Ward told the jury: “I have known him all my life. When I heard his voice it meant something to me because we were not getting along at the time. When I turned and saw the gun, I knew I was going to be shot.”
Mr McDonagh denies two charges of being in possession of a shotgun and a shotgun cartridge on April 18th with intent to endanger life.
He also denies a charge of intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to Mr Ward on the same date.
Martin Ward gave evidence his friend, Michael Ward, was a Chinese takeaway delivery man, and on the night of the shooting he was a front-seat passenger, along with Joe McDonagh, in Michael Ward’s van. He was sitting in the middle front seat, and when Michael Ward got out to make a delivery to a house in Whitestrand Road he left the driver’s door open.
A moment later Martin Ward said he heard a man roaring “you are going to get it now.” He looked to his right through the open van door and saw Mr McDonagh walking towards him with a gun pointed at his face.
He said McDonagh was wearing a black jacket and a balaclava, but it was not covering his face too well and he could make out his eyes, mouth and nose. He could also see part of Mr McDonagh’s beard.
Martin Ward said he knew Mr McDonagh all of his life. He recognised his voice immediately, and also knew him from his build as he was a weightlifter.
The trial continues today.