Nally supporters seek meeting with Minister

Supporters of jailed Mayo farmer Pádraig Nally are to seek a meeting with Minister for Justice Michael McDowell as part of their…

Supporters of jailed Mayo farmer Pádraig Nally are to seek a meeting with Minister for Justice Michael McDowell as part of their campaign for action on rural crime.

James Waldron, a member of the Pádraig Nally Support Group, said they would be raising concerns about the level of rural policing with the Minister.

Nally's supporters first spoke last November of their plans to meet the Minister, but last night a spokesman for Mr McDowell said no request for a meeting had been received.

Nally (61), Funshinagh, Cross, was sentenced to six years for the manslaughter of John Ward, a Traveller and father of 11 on his property in October 2004.

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Over Christmas, he received over 2,000 seasonal and Mass cards and letters from wellwishers in Ireland, Britain, Australia and the US, according to his supporters. Another supporter, Michael Varley, said Nally's Christmas postbag contained many offers of help which the group would now be following up.

Paul Cullen

Paul Cullen

Paul Cullen is a former heath editor of The Irish Times.