The following is the text of a letter sent this week by the Editor of The Irish Times to the Coroner, Dr Gerry McDonagh.
October 10th, 2000
Dr Gerry McDonagh, County Coroner Longford County Buildings Great Water Street Longford
Re: Publication of names of members of the Garda Siochana Emergency Response Unit in the Irish Times's report on inquest into the death of John Carthy.
Dear Sir,
I refer to the above matter.
The request in regard to withholding the names of members of the ERU was considered very carefully.
It was my view that the public interest is better to be served by publishing the names of the members involved.
The following factors were among those taken into account in coming to that view.
Members of the Garda Siochana are personally accountable for their actions whilst on duty. There is no precedent for their identities to be concealed when those actions are under inquiry in a court or, as in this instance, an inquest. Indeed, in a precedent case the High Court ruled against the withholding of names.
The names of other gardai involved in this incident are known. It would seem invidious that one category should be identified and not another.
There is no threat to the safety of members involved since there is no dimension of subversive or organised crime in this matter.
It is true, of course, that members of the ERU and their families are obliged to live in the community. But I find it impossible to see, on this ground alone, that they should have anonymity, any more than any other individual whose professional duties may be subject to public judicial scrutiny.
Finally, and by no means least, Counsel for the family of the deceased man submitted that it was their wish that the names of the gardai involved should not be withheld.
I trust that this clarifies matters.
Yours sincerely,
Conor Brady Editor