Armed Gardaí who shot and killed John Carthy following a siege at his home at Abbeylara in County Longford will not be prosecuted. RTÉ News has learned that the Director of Public Prosecutions has recommended that no member of the force face criminal charges as a result of the killing. The decision also means it is unlikely that the Garda Commissioner will take disciplinary action against any Garda on duty that day.
While the decision may bring relief and a sense of vindication to the Gardaí, the DPP's decision not to initiate criminal proceedings following the shooting of John Carty is likely to anger his family and bring renewed calls for a public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding his death.
The twenty-seven-year old was shot dead following a siege at his home in Abbeylara in County Longford. He was shot four times, twice in the leg and twice in the back, after he emerged from the house with a shotgun breached. The final fatal shot entered his back and punctured his heart. Gardaí had called on him repeatedly to put the gun down.
A report on the shooting by Chief Superintendent Adrian Cullingan was sent to the DPP six weeks ago, and he has now decided that no Garda should be prosecuted. The decision means that Pat Byrne is unlikely to take disciplinary action against any member either.
The family has called for a public inquiry into the killing of John Carthy and both the Minister for Justice John O' Donoghue and the Garda Commissioner Pat Byrne are anxious that all the facts be made public. Most of those facts should become public during the inquest which is due to take place on September the 16th.
