Justice Barr accused of ‘drawing conclusions’ before evidence is heard

THE chairman of the Barr Tribunal was accused yesterday of drawing conclusions on aspects of the Abbeylara siege before hearing all the relevant evidence.

Heated exchanges arose between senior barristers and Justice Robert Barr in relation to a line of questioning that has dominated much of the Tribunal the issue of why John Carthy was not given the cigarettes he requested.

All garda witnesses testifying before the Tribunal so far have been adamant that it was too dangerous for any officer to approach the house with the requested cigarettes.