House shooting: family now want to leave Tuam

A Traveller family from Tuam want to move out of the town after a shot was fired through their sitting room window shortly after they went to bed – it is believed to be part of an ongoing internal feud.

Members of the warring Ward clan say that that there have been at least four similar incidents.

Gardaí in Tuam are currently investigating the shooting incident that occurred at a house in Kilmore, Tuam (near Barnaderg) that was occupied by Aaron Ward, his wife Ann Marie and their three children, a seven year-old boy, a six year old girl and a three month-old baby.

There has been an ongoing feud between two factions of the Ward families for the past three and a half years. It is understood to be over a domestic situation, but the Gardai fear that it could escalate even further.

“We are terrified and we just want to move out of here and try and get accommodation somewhere else like Kerry or Waterford. We want to move as far away from here as possible”, Aaron Ward told the Connacht Tribune.

Since the incident on Monday night, the Ward family have moved out of their home and are residing with relations in Tuam. They are now looking to be resettled in the south of the country.

It is not the first time that the Ward family in Kilmore have been targeted. Ann Marie’s white Audi  car was extensively vandalised but this latest incident was much more sinister. It occurred at around 11.30 in the night.

“Someone is going to get killed or seriously injured if this feud is not brought to an end. We are now afraid to go outside the house for fear of being shot at again”, Aaron Ward added. “I am really worried for my wife and children”.

Garda sources in Tuam say that they are anxious that a mediator become involved in the feud in an effort to end the conflict.

For more on this story, see the Connacht Tribune.