The Barr Tribunal is continuing to investigate the shooting of the 27-year-old Abbeylara man, John Carthy, by Gardaí at his home in April 2000.
The consultant psychiatrist who treated John Carthy for depression has told the Barr Tribunal that he would have contacted the Gardaí in relation to John Carthy's possession of a firearm if there had been a serious change in his condition.
Dr David Shanley was being questioned by counsel for the Garda Commissioner about his decision to write a letter to the Gardaí in Longford, recommending that Mr Carthy have his guns returned to him.
Dr Shanly said he had treated Mr Carthy for three years and during that time he had never displayed suicidal or homicidal tendencies.
Although John Carthy had been hospitalised in 1998 and had suffered mild bouts of depression and elation over the next few months, the doctor said this was the nature of his illness.
He said he did not think it necessary to contact the Gardaí with a view to having Mr Carthy's gun taken from him.
The psychiatrist said it would not have been good for John's self-esteem if the Gardaí had been notified of 'every high and low' he experienced, and if the Gardaí had repeatedly taken his gun away and returned it to him.
