The family of a man shot dead by a farmer in a dispute over land has suggested legislation should be introduced to oblige anyone applying for a gun licence to produce a medical certificate indicating their suitability to own a gun.
Pierce Healy said it seemed a sensible measure to him and his family that anyone applying for a gun licence should be asked to produce a medical certificate from their doctor.
Mr Healy's brother, James, a native of Gowran, Co Kilkenny, was shot dead by farmer Michael Kehoe as he attempted to fence off a portion of land, which he had purchased, at the Kehoe family holding in Coolhune, Co Carlow, on the morning of September 3rd.
Mr Kehoe, who had been reluctant to accept a settlement order of the High Court in April 2002 to his sister, Catherine, in her role as administrator of the farm, later shot himself dead with his legally held double-barrelled shotgun.
Mr Kehoe was so aggrieved over the settlement that Catherine Kehoe was obliged last May 31st to take out a Circuit Court injunction against her brother to prevent him from harassing or intimidating or interfering with anyone who entered the land.
Mr Healy said yesterday that, while he didn't wish to go into the details of his brother's death at the hands of Mr Kehoe, he believed that, in general, people should be required to get a medical certificate from their doctor to clear them to own a shotgun.
And he said the cost of the certificate should borne by the applicant, not by the State.
"The person should carry the cost themselves - even if they don't have great means. Surely, if they can afford to buy a gun and bullets, they can pay €40 for a visit to the doctor," he said.
Mr Healy was supported in his suggestion by Fine Gael spokesman on justice Jim O'Keeffe, who said there was an urgent need for new comprehensive firearms legislation that would address who was entitled to hold firearms as well as other related firearms issues.
Mr O'Keeffe pointed out that the current legislation governing possession of firearms dates from 1925.
He believed new legislation should ensure that people who obtain firearms licences are medically fit to own guns.
A Garda Press Office spokeswoman said the onus under the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act is on each individual to renew their licence before July 31st each year, and a computer-generated reminder is sent to each firearms licence-holder.
"There is no requirement under the Act to obtain a medical certificate.
"A superintendent has the authority to grant or refuse a firearms certificate," the spokeswoman said.
She added it wasn't Garda policy to comment on individual cases when asked about Mr Kehoe's licence.
According to the spokeswoman, the most recent figures issued for the year ending July 31st, 2003, show there were 210,715 registered firearms in the State, of which 168,225 were shotguns and 42,394 were rifles or air rifles.
Meanwhile, Mr Healy said his family were upset to hear that members of the Glynn and District Gun Club had formed a guard of honour at Mr Kehoe's funeral.
"I think it was highly inappropriate and very insensitive, given what had happened," he said.
A spokesman for the Glynn and District Gun Club told The Irish Times the club believed "the matter had been overplayed in the media.
"All we want to do is let the two men rest in peace and let the gardaí get on with their investigation."
