The two largest Garda representative bodies have backed calls from the family of John Carthy for a judicial inquiry into the Co Longford man's shooting in Abbeylara last year.
The Garda Representative Association (GRA) and the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) said, in a joint statement: "We now conclude that the only way of establishing the full facts, to the satisfaction of all the parties, is by setting up a full, independent judicial inquiry."
The statement was issued yesterday in the names of the associations' general secretaries, Mr P.J. Stone and Mr George May bury.
They said they were of the view that the Oireachtas Committee on the Abbeylara Incident, which starts its hearings tomorrow, was "not the appropriate forum to deal with this sensitive and complex issue".
Expanding on this view, Mr Stone said the facts surrounding the incident "should be taken out of the political arena".
He added that he believed "the force has nothing to fear about whatever comes out".
The move follows the call last week from the former Taoiseach and Longford TD, Mr Albert Reynolds, for an independent inquiry.
It comes as a further blow to the Oireachtas committee inquiry, the purpose of which has been questioned by a number of parties, including the Irish Council for Civil Liberties.
The council director, Mr Donncha O'Connell, said the inquiry appeared to be "a rerun of the inquest held at Longford with the vague possibility of stronger recommendations at the end".
He said the committee seemed to be cautious in its approach and was being limited by a narrow time-frame.
"The decision not to call independent experts and other interested groups like the ICCL will impede the sub-committee in such deliberations," said Mr O'Connell.
The ICCL will be applying to the committee tomorrow for the opportunity to give evidence on a submission it has already made. It has indicated, however, it will not be seeking legal representation.
A memorial service for Mr Carthy was held in Abbeylara at the weekend. He was shot dead by gardai on February 20th, 2001, on leaving his home after a 25-hour siege.
The six TDs and one senator sitting on the committee are to visit the scene of the shooting on Wednesday.
