Gardaí seen to undermine proceedings

IF the gardaí have nothing to hide from the Barr Tribunal into the shooting of John Carthy in Abbeylara four years ago, then they should be in there arguing their case.

They should be under no illusion that this important tribunal must continue to function.

Like it or not, by withdrawing over the spat between chairman Mr Justice Robert Barr and their legal representative John Rogers SC, the gardaí will be perceived as undermining the hearing. To withdraw because they felt they were not getting proper representation will further damage the image of the force.

There is a widespread perception that Mr Rogers withdrew because his ego had been bruised when Mr Justice Barr told him to sit down on a number of occasions amid verbal clashes after State Pathologist John Harbison raised the possibility that a fifth shot may have hit Mr Carthy.

As a highly experienced senior counsel and former Attorney General, Mr Rogers is accustomed to the cut and thrust of court and tribunal hearings. Common sense demands that tensions between Mr Rogers and the chairman be put aside. The judge is right not to tolerate any interference with the working of the tribunal.

It is inconceivable that in an inquiry involving the gardaí they will not be present or will not be legally represented. It is time for wise heads to prevail so this bizarre mess can be cleared up once and for all.