A murder trial of five men accused of killing a man at a family funeral has heard that a feud allegedly existed between two Traveller families after a bare knuckle fight in London in 1989.
Defence counsel, Mr Fergal Kavanagh SC, acting for Mr Martin McDonagh snr, suggested to the accused's cousin Mr Patrick Ward jnr that there was a "bigger picture to the clash".
"Behind the scenes," Mr Kavanagh said, there was a "power play between the Ward and McDonagh family".
"I had no argument with the McDonagh's", Mr Ward jnr told the jury. Five men have pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Patrick Ward in May 1999 at Carrownanty Cemetery, Ballymote, Co Sligo. Mr Michael McDonagh snr (58), Mr Martin McDonagh snr (53), Mr Michael McDonagh jnr (29), Mr Patrick McDonagh (33), and Mr Martin McDonagh jnr (26), have all denied the murder.
Mr Ward (38), resident in Manchester had travelled to Ireland for the funeral of his uncle, also Mr Patrick Ward, when he was fatally shot. The five have also pleaded not guilty to the possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. They also deny the attempted murder of Mr Patrick Ward snr, Mr Patrick Ward jnr and Mr Edward Ward on the same occasion. The accused men also pleaded not guilty to causing violent disorder.
Mr Kavanagh, asked Mr Ward jnr if he knew the origins of the feud, to which he replied: "I've no idea. You would be better asking your client, Hitler, [Mr Martin McDonagh snr] all about this."
He was asked if he remembered attending a boxing match in London between Mr Bernie Ward and Mr Tom McDonagh. "I was a young fella, I was brought to watch it. I don't get involved in fights," Mr Ward jnr said. The witness was then asked if it was a bare-knuckle fight, to which he said "it was just a fight. It takes place every day in the Travelling community. It's a way of sorting out problems, after it's over they shake hands." Mr Kavanagh then asked if it was true the fight in 1989 had a wager of £20,000 on it, to which Mr Ward jnr replied, "no, I did not hear that".
Mr Kavanagh claimed Mr Tom McDonagh was accused of not boxing within the rules. "I don't believe any money was involved. If two men go out to fight and if one gets beat, he gets beat and that's it," Mr Ward jnr said.
The trial continues.