http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/10-years-on-nally-still-prays-for-raider-he-killed-30693251.html
The book, Unless by Invitation, by West of Ireland journalist Crona Esler, examines in depth the case of farmer Padraig Nally who was jailed for shooting dead John 'Frog' Ward after Ward had tried to raid Nally's isolated homestead in Cross, Co Mayo, 10 years ago this month.
In a forensic examination of the legislation, the Defence and Dwelling Act, eventually passed into law by Alan Shatter in 2012, Ms Esler, Deputy Editor of the Western People, states that what is deemed "reasonable" force under the Act is "subjective and depends on the individual circumstances".
"A person who uses force against an intruder which results in the death of this person, still risks criminal prosecution if the force used is not deemed reasonable by the court or jury," Ms Esler writes.
Esler found that Nally has begun to come to terms with his experience. He felt sorry for John Ward's family and says prayers for the repose of his soul. He received 3,000 letters during his trial and when he returned home he often sat up at night and found he "was crying reading them, there was so much compassion among the people".
The book, Unless by Invitation, by West of Ireland journalist Crona Esler, examines in depth the case of farmer Padraig Nally who was jailed for shooting dead John 'Frog' Ward after Ward had tried to raid Nally's isolated homestead in Cross, Co Mayo, 10 years ago this month.
In a forensic examination of the legislation, the Defence and Dwelling Act, eventually passed into law by Alan Shatter in 2012, Ms Esler, Deputy Editor of the Western People, states that what is deemed "reasonable" force under the Act is "subjective and depends on the individual circumstances".
"A person who uses force against an intruder which results in the death of this person, still risks criminal prosecution if the force used is not deemed reasonable by the court or jury," Ms Esler writes.
Esler found that Nally has begun to come to terms with his experience. He felt sorry for John Ward's family and says prayers for the repose of his soul. He received 3,000 letters during his trial and when he returned home he often sat up at night and found he "was crying reading them, there was so much compassion among the people".