Psychiatrist begins evidence at Barr Tribunal

The inquiry into the killing of John Carthy by armed gardai in April 2000 has begun hearing evidence from a psychiatrist who treated the 27-year-old.

Mr Carthy was shot dead by members of the Emergency Response Unit following a 24-hour armed siege at his home in Abbeylara, Co Longford.

Dr David Shanley told the Barr Tribunal today that he first met Mr Carthy in April 1995 when he was referred to him for a second opinion after being diagnosed with depression.

Dr Shanley said he came to understand that Mr Carthy's father had died in April 1990.

He said he also noted that one of the occasions when Mr Carthy was admitted to hospital in Mullingar was after an accident on the anniversary of his father's death.

Dr Shanley said the anniversary appeared to be a significant day in Mr Carthy's life, adding that he was probably at his most vulnerable at that time of year.