Murder trial was ‘a total character assassination’ that vilified my brother

THE family of the late Anthony O’Mahony have expressed their shock, anger and deep upset at how their loved one was portrayed during the trial of his killer Michael Ferris.

MR O’Mahony’s brother Seamus O’Mahony told the media in the wake of the trial that he was shocked and devastated when Mr Ferris (63) was found not guilty of murder but guilty of his brother’s manslaughter last Friday.

Mr O’Mahony was part of a group of around 20 of Anthony O’Mahony’s family and friend’s who were in court and were visibly distraught when the jury delivered its verdict.

Seamus O’Mahony has said he fears Michael Ferris will be back on the streets in just a few years.

“I will live in fear knowing the likelihood is he will only serve between five and seven years in jail - knowing the day will come when we will pass each other on that lane again,” he said.

“He said he snapped. If he can snap once, how can we know that he won’t do it again? How could I feel safe going up and down to that farm?” Mr O’Mahony asked.

Mr O’Mahony told the media that he was horrified by the way in which his late brother, whom he described as a hard-working and passionate farmer, had been “criminalised” during the trial.

“My brother who was killed was the one who was put on trial, the one who was made out to be the guilty one,” said Mr O’Mahony.

“But my brother was the one who was totally and utterly ambushed. He had no chance.” The trial, Mr O’Mahony said, had been “a total character assassination”.