Man tried to stab brother-in-law at Mass

A man who tried to stab his brother-in-law up to a dozen times during a Mass for his own brother has been found guilty of assault causing harm.

Martin “Mattress” Ward stabbed Michael McDonagh in the grounds of the Church of the Irish Martyrs in Letterkenny, Co Donegal on Jun 26, 2012.

Letterkenny District Court heard yesterday how Ward, aged 33, of 45 Ard Na Ri, Letterkenny, tried to stab Mr McDonagh up to a dozen times through the window of his car.

Mr McDonagh, his wife and their children had arrived at the anniversary Mass for Mrs McDonagh’s late brother Charlie.

However, just seconds after leaving his wife off at the front door, Mr McDonagh was attacked.

He claims the attacker was his brother-in-law Michael Ward, who struck him in the face and then stabbed him in the face and back.

The accused claimed he was nowhere near Co Donegal on the day of the alleged stabbing. He said he was hunting hares and rabbits with a friend in Thurles where he lived.

He even claimed he did not know where the church was.

However, Insp Michael Harrison said he was at his sister’s wedding, another niece’s wedding and his brother’s first anniversary Mass in the same church.

Judge Paul Kelly said on the balance of evidence he found the case against the accused proved.

Judge Kelly put the case back to the circuit court for sentence. The accused was remanded in custody until the current sitting of the circuit court which starts today.