Three members of the Garda Emergency Response Unit at the standoff between Mr John Carthy and gardai in Abbeylara were on a break when Mr Carthy emerged from his family home with a shotgun, the inquest was told.
Det Sgt Gerard Russell, who was in charge of ERU tactics when Mr Carthy was shot dead by members of the unit, gave evidence yesterday. He said there were a total of nine ERU members at the scene by Thursday evening, April 20th, two of whom were ERU siege negotiators.
He confirmed Det Sgt Michael Jackson was the only specially trained negotiator in the ERU with Det Garda Michael Sullivan aiding him.
He said he was trained in the use of Uzi sub-machine guns, .38 Smyth and Weston revolvers, pistols, rifles and pump-action shotguns. The ERU underwent frequent technical operation training sessions. Det Sgt Russell said it was the first time he had been involved in an operation where there had been a fatality. He said the ERU also had distraction devices and smoke canisters but their use was ruled out when Mr Carthy left the house because it could have been construed as an aggressive action.
Det Sgt Russell said three men, including himself, Det Garda Carey and Det Garda Ryan, were on a break in a new house being built at the rear of the scene by the Carthy family, when Mr Carthy emerged.
Det Sgt Russell said he then ran across the soil, jumped up on a wall and called on Mr Carthy there were armed gardai present. He said he could see people fleeing in panic. "It was clear to me that he was in the final act of focusing a shot at somebody. I knew somebody's life was in immediate danger. I had my mind made up to fire at him."
He said he was in the process of squeezing the trigger of his pistol and aiming at Mr Carthy's lower body when he heard a shot. He said Mr Carthy took another pace and a second shot was discharged. "He was still going and a third shot was fired." This was followed by a further shot which turned Mr Carthy towards him as he fell. "I heard him groaning."
He said he later established Det Sgt Jackson and another ERU member, Det Garda McCabe, had each discharged two rounds at him.