Northern Ireland

Gruesome video shows murder victim Pat Ward was still alive when dragged into an alleyway

A man in a hooded top is seen on camera dragging murder victim Pat Ward into an alleyway in Clogher in the early hours of February 9
A man in a hooded top is seen on camera dragging murder victim Pat Ward into an alleyway in Clogher in the early hours of February 9 A man in a hooded top is seen on camera dragging murder victim Pat Ward into an alleyway in Clogher in the early hours of February 9

A gruesome video has emerged of the naked and bloodied body of murder victim Pat Ward being dragged along a residential street to the alleyway where he was found.

The body of Mr Ward was discovered in an entry at McCrea Park in Clogher, Co Tyrone at around 8.15am on Saturday.

Two people have this morning been charged with Mr Ward's murder.

The PSNI said a woman, aged 33, and a man, aged 23, are due to appear before Dungannon Magistrates' Court today.

Footage taken from a CCTV camera appears to show that Mr Ward was still alive at 6.43am when, stripped to his underwear, he was dragged by a man dressed in a dark coloured hooded top across the street to the alleyway where his body was later discovered.

The Irish News has chosen not to show the footage due to its graphic nature.

The video, which is being treated as evidence, shows a hooded figure stopping on several occasions to take a break from dragging the battered body of Mr Ward, a champion Traveller boxer, across the residential street.

Murder victim Pat Ward was a well known member of the Traveller community.
Murder victim Pat Ward was a well known member of the Traveller community. Murder victim Pat Ward was a well known member of the Traveller community.

On the second occasion the 30-year-old victim appears to move, curling himself up in a protective position, before the man once again drags him by the arms towards the nearby alleyway.

The footage, which is a almost two minutes long, is being examined by detectives investigating the murder of the father-of-four.

Detectives are also seeking to clarify if Mr Ward was left to die from his injuries in the alleyway or if he sustained a further attack at that location.

Graphic pictures from the scene, also unsuitable for publication, show the murdered man suffered severe injuries, including large stab and slash wounds inflicted across his back and head.

Mr Ward, who was originally from Co Sligo, had recently moved to the Clogher area.

In August 2007, his 23-year-old brother Tom Ward was murdered as he sat in his van outside his parents home in Sligo town.

Forensic officers in McCrea Park in Clogher, CoTyrone. following the discovery of the body of Pat Ward in an alleyway.
Forensic officers in McCrea Park in Clogher, CoTyrone. following the discovery of the body of Pat Ward in an alleyway. Forensic officers in McCrea Park in Clogher, CoTyrone. following the discovery of the body of Pat Ward in an alleyway.

Mr Ward's family have appealed for anyone with information to contact the police, saying he was a much loved husband and father.

The victim's sister Bridget said her family wanted justice but "know it's not going to bring him back".

"He has left a young wife and four kids and a broken-hearted family behind."

Detectives have appealed for anyone who noticed unusual activity at McCrea Park late on Friday or early on Saturday to contact them.