Garda identities to be shielded at inquest

GARDAÍ will give evidence from behind a screen during the inquest of two men shot dead by officers during a post office robbery, it emerged yesterday.

The identification of members of An Garda Síochána will be protected for their own personal safety at the hearing, Dublin City Coroner’s Court ruled.

Eric Hopkins and Colm Griffin died from gunshot injuries during a foiled robbery at Lusk Post Office on May 26, 2005.

Mr Griffin, of Canon Lillis Avenue and Mr Hopkins, of Lower Rutland Street, both in Dublin’s north inner city were part of a five-man gang carrying out the raid.

Dublin City Coroner Dr Brian Farrell adjourned the case to July 2 when a full hearing date will be fixed.

The men’s families were in court for the hearing.

Armed detectives had been lying in wait for the gang when they struck the post office in the north Co Dublin village. However, no criminal charges have been brought against the officers who inflicted the fatal wounds. The men’s inquest has been adjourned numerous times over the past two years as criminal proceedings continued against one of the five.

Last month Gavin Farrelly, 35, of Lower Sherriff Street, Dublin, was jailed for 10 years for his role in the raid after pleading guilty to attempted robbery.

Barrister for the gardaí, Fergal Foley, said the Garda Investigation File had been submitted to the coroner’s office in which a number of topics regarding the safety of members had been outlined. He said security experts from within the force had examined the coroner’s court building and decided it suitable and that screening could be put in place around the witness box.

John Byrne, barrister for the Griffin and Hopkins families, said there was no desire from the families to identify officers, provided they were in court to give evidence.