Abbeylara inquiry terms of reference agreed

The terms of reference of the Abbeylara tribunal have been agreed by the government.

The investigation will examine the circumstances surrounding the shooting dead of John Carthy two years ago.

The perameters were drawn up in consultation with the opposition parties. The inquiry was necessary following the successful legal challenge by some gardai against an Oireachtas committee examining the events.

The chair of the tribunal has not been chosen, but once work begins an interim report must be drawn up within four months.

The Minister for Justice said the fatal shooting raised serious questions which must be answered, but he stressed that the tribunal must not be interpreted as a view of wrongdoing by any gardai.