Doctor found tender neck after alleged garda assault

A DOCTOR who examined John Carthy after an alleged assault at his local garda station found tenderness around his upper neck.

Dr Patrick Cullen, of Coole, Co. Westmeath, told the Abbeylara Tribunal he saw no bruising in the sore area, but said Mr Carthy was very distressed. Dr Cullen said Mr Carthy visited him on September 25, 1998, and told him he had been arrested and questioned the night before over the burning of a model goat used as a mascot by the local football team.

Mr Carthy claimed to have been assaulted in the station and was very upset. Although he had not been charged with any offence, Dr Cullen said he did not get the impression Mr Carthy felt he had been exonerated.