Reaction:Pádraig Nally's acquittal on a manslaughter charge drew a mixed reaction in the west last night, with neighbours and several politicians expressing "delight", while a representative of the Travelling community, Martin Collins, described the verdict as a "licence to kill".
Marie Ward, widow of John Ward who was shot dead by Mr Nally in October 2004, told The Irish Times that she was too upset to do an interview. "I don't want to talk," she said last night.
In a statement issued by Pavee Point on her behalf, Mrs Ward, who moved her family from Galway to Longford after her husband's death, said she and her family were trying to rebuild their lives.
"John Ward was a loving husband and father to us, his wife and 11 children. We have to live with the fact that John will never return to us. Our lives will never be the same after his death.
"The law should not allow Pádraig Nally, the man who took my husband's life, to walk free. No one has a right to take someone else's life away.
"Whenever I or my children go out on to the street we feel people are staring at us. This is a very uncomfortable experience. Pádraig Nally killed my husband. My husband was the victim. My husband's untimely death has been difficult for me and my children to cope with.
"We must try now and rebuild our lives and we would ask the media to respect our privacy in what is a very upsetting and emotional time for us."
Mr Collins, a member of the Travelling community and a friend of the family, said last night: "The pain continues for Marie Ward . . . There is a feeling of shock and disbelief in the Travelling community tonight . . ."
"I have witnessed many unsavoury events, carried out both against and by Travellers, but in all my 20 years working in this area, I have never been so angry," he added.
Mayo Fine Gael TD Michael Ring said that he was "delighted" with the ruling and also said that the issue was "not about Travellers". Mr Nally had "never broken a law in his life" and was a man "living in fear". Mr Ring said he hoped it sent out a message to those "trying to pick on vulnerable people in rural areas" and a message that "people have the right to protect their property".
Mayo Independent TD Beverley Flynn said she welcomed the decision, but said that Mr Ward's shooting had been "tragic for everyone involved", and the Wards had lost a father and husband.
She felt the verdict should "give a message to the Garda Síochána that when bench warrants are out, they should be acted upon".
Ms Flynn said she also felt there was a need for more community policing as elderly people in rural areas were living in fear, "particularly in Mayo where it can be a long way from everybody in a dark and lonely countryside".
Mayo Independent TD Dr Jerry Cowley said that it was a "very tragic case", and he felt "great sympathy and sadness for everyone involved". Given the length of time that the jury had deliberated, the law on use of reasonable force in self defence needed to be clarified, Dr Cowley said.
"All the survivors are victims in this case and my heart goes out to everyone in this situation."
A Fianna Fáil candidate for Mayo, Dara Calleary, welcomed the acquittal.
"Mr Nally's case has brought the issue of isolation in rural areas to the fore," he said. "We must do all we can to look out for people living on their own."