Shanley resumes evidence to Abbeylara inquiry

A psychiatrist has criticised the gardai for using cigarettes as a negotiating tool during the armed siege that led to the killing of 27-year-old John Carthy in Abbeylara, Co Longford, in April 2000.

During the siege, the gardai asked Mr Carthy if he wanted anything and he requested a packet of cigarettes. However, the gardai delayed handing over the cigarettes, a move Dr David Shanley described as unhelpful.

Dr Shanley told the Barr Tribunal today it appeared members of the Emergency Response Unit were using the cigarettes as bargaining tool rather than as a sign of goodwill on behalf of the gardai.

The gardai claimed they were afraid to hand over the cigarettes because Mr Carthy had fired shots during the siege, but this was queried by Justice Barr, who pointed out that one garda had looked in the window of the Carthy house during the stand-off and could have left the cigarettes on the windowsill at that stage.