‘Hippo’ Ward jailed for driving offence

A MAN who stood trial for the murder of Veronica Guerin was jailed last week for driving without insurance.

Paul ‘Hippo’ Ward received a four-month sentence and is now in Limerick prison. His conviction for the murder of the Sunday Independent journalist was overturned on appeal and he was released from jail in 2005.

A known associate of John Gilligan, the Crumlin man was initially found guilty of the murder following a long trial in 1998. However, this was overturned on appeal on the basis the prosecution had relied too heavily on the evidence of ‘supergrass’ Charlie Bowden.

Ward (51) has continued a legal battle to have his original murder conviction declared a miscarriage of justice.