Four parties are granted legal representation

Legal representation was granted to four parties on the opening day yesterday of the Oireachtas sub-committee inquiry into the…

Legal representation was granted to four parties on the opening day yesterday of the Oireachtas sub-committee inquiry into the death of John Carthy in Abbeylara, Co Longford, last year.

Mr Anthony Aston SC said he had been nominated by the Attorney General to represent members of the Garda who were not otherwise represented.

He will represent senior members of the force, including Garda Commissioner Mr Pat Byrne and Asst Commissioner Mr Tony Hickey, who are to give evidence tomorrow.

Mr John Rogers SC will represent 25 named gardai, including members of the Emergency Response Unit who fired four shots at Mr Carthy.

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Mr Michael O'Higgins will represent the deceased, his immediate family and a number of relatives who will give evidence.

Ms Oonah McCrann will represent a consultant psychiatrist, Dr Shanley.

Two parties were refused rights of audience before the sub-committee.

They were Mr Donncha O'Connell, director of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, and Mr Joe Higgins TD, of the Socialist Party.

The sub-committee will examine the effectiveness, appropriateness and reasonableness of the Garda operation and the circumstances of the compilation and publication of the Garda report into the incident. Its members will visit Abbeylara today to view the scene of the shooting.