Decision to give gun to Carthy defended

Barr Tribunal: Mr John Carthy could have been put at an increased risk of suicide if his psychiatrist had not supported his application for gardaí to return the gun they had confiscated from him, the Barr tribunal has heard.

Dr David Shanley, Mr Carthy's psychiatrist, would have been "almost kicking him when he was down" if he had not endorsed his patient's application, Prof Kevin Malone, a clinical psychiatrist has told the tribunal.

Gardaí had confiscated Mr Carthy's gun in 1998 after they received allegations that the 27-year-old had threatened to shoot people at the local handball alley in Abbeylara.

Two months later, Dr Shanley wrote to the superintendent at Granard Garda station to say Mr Carthy was "fit to use a firearm".

Dr Shanley has told the tribunal that Mr Carthy led him to believe the gun had been taken as part of a routine check.

A year-and-a-half later, Mr Carthy used the gun in the 25-hour armed standoff which ended when he was shot dead outside his home by gardaí.

Prof Malone, who was engaged by lawyers for Dr Shanley to write a report on the doctor's treatment and management of Mr Carthy, said yesterday that there were "no medical contradictions" to prevent the return of the gun and that Mr Carthy may have felt "rejected" by Dr Shanley if he had not written the letter.

According to Dr Shanley's notes, Mr Carthy had no history of violence and was complying with his medication.

"Based on this evidence Dr Shanley obviously decided the risk of suicide was low and the risk of homicide was negligible for this man to be deprived of one of his few hobbies."