A 63-year-old farmer has been jailed for five years for killing his neighbour in April 2017 in a dispute over a device used to scare crows off his land.
Michael Ferris of Rattoo, Ballyduff in Kerry stood trial for Anthony O’Mahony’s murder but was found guilty of manslaughter.
BREAKING Michael Ferris (63) has been jailed for five years for killing his neighbour Anthony O’Mahony in Ballyduff, Co. Kerry. His trial heard he killed him in a row over a crow banger that Mr. O’Mahony used on his land to scare off birds.
— Frank Greaney (@FrankGreaney) December 3, 2018
Michael Ferris never denied killing Anthony O’Mahony on a quiet country road near their neighbouring farms in what was described as a “picturesque” part of north county Kerry.
His trial heard he blocked the single-lane road with his teleporter – a large farm vehicle described in court as a cross between a tractor and a forklift.
When Mr. O’Mahony couldn't pass in his car, he repeatedly honked his horn and Ferris drove at him.
His trial heard the prongs of his vehicle went through the car and killed the 73yo instantly.
Ferris said he “just snapped” after 30 years of provocation.
He said Mr. O’Mahony had a crow banger on his land that would let off a loud shotgun-like noise every few minutes.
Following his trial in Tralee, he was acquitted of murder but found guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter.
Ms Justice Carmel Stewart described the killing as “truly gruesome and horrific” and said it defied belief and imagination before sentencing him to six years with the final year suspended.
VIDEO Ann O’Carroll says family can’t believe Michael Ferris was acquitted of murdering her uncle Anthony O’Mahony and feel the five year sentence handed down for his manslaughter didn’t go far enough. pic.twitter.com/UnjvbthutD
— Frank Greaney (@FrankGreaney) December 3, 2018
