Two men appear in court accused of attempted murder in Offaly

TWO men have been sent forward from Tullamore District Court to the Central Criminal Court on charges of attempted murder after books of evidence were served.

Three other men, described in court as co-accused, were remanded to next week's sitting of the District Court for service of books of evidence.

Patrick Ward (37) of 7 Kilcruttin, Tullamore, Co Offaly is charged with attempting to murder Anthony McDonagh at the unofficial halting site, Kilcruttin, Tullamore on March 21, 2025.

John Pio Ward (41) of Bay 6, Kilcruttin Halting Site, Tullamore, Co Offaly, is charged with the attempted murder of Michael McDonagh at the same location on March 21, 2025.

They are also charged with violent disorder and possessing a firearm at Kilcruttin Halting Site, Tullamore on the same date.

Patrick Ward and John Pio Ward, who remain in custody, had previously appeared before Portlaoise District Court by video link.

At Tullamore District Court on Wednesday (September 3) Garda Stacey O'Brien gave evidence of serving books of evidence on both men and applied for them to be sent forward to the next sitting of the Central Criminal Court for trial.

Both were remanded in custody by Judge Andrew Cody who said he could not grant bail on charges of attempted murder. Legal aid was granted.

Michael Ward (30), Kilcruttin Halting Site, appeared on a charge of producing an article in the course of a dispute outside the A&E department of Tullamore Hospital on March 21.

Sean Ward, Kilcruttin Halting Site, a brother of Michael, was before the court on a similar charge.

Richard Ward (27), also of Kilcruttin Halting Site, was accused of violent disorder on March 21.

Michael Ward, Sean Ward and Richard Ward have been on bail since July and Garda O'Brien sought a remand on bail for a week for service of books of evidence.

Judge Cody remanded all three on continuing bail to September 10 next.

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