FBI officers are assisting in Abbeylara shooting inquiry, O'Donoghue confirms

Five FBI officers are involved in the investigation of the shooting at Abbeylara, Co Longford, in which Mr John Carthy was killed by gardai following a siege at his home at Easter.

The Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue, told the Dail that the expertise of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation was internationally recognised "in the handling of the type of situation which arose in Abbeylara" and that the five officers were assisting in the inquiry.

Mr O'Donoghue, who again insisted that the findings of the inquiry would be published, said it was not part of the role of the FBI "experts" to conduct the investigation - that was a matter for the Chief Superintendent leading the inquiry. About 200 people have already been interviewed.

"What they will do, however, is assess the handling of the operation as a whole by reference to international best practice. I expect their input will be reflected in the Chief Superintendent's report."

He said their primary purpose was to "ensure that any lessons that may need to be learned from this tragic death will be learned."

The Minister was responding during Question Time to Mr Jim Higgins, Fine Gael's spokesman on Justice, who called for Garda guidelines on the use of firearms to be made public.

He asked why they should be "so secretive and confidential" and whether instructions were given to gardai, in certain circumstances, "to maim, immobilise or injure someone or is there a specific instruction that as soon as a firearm is employed by a garda, he or she must shoot to kill? That seems to be the view among the general public, that the instruction is all or nothing."

Mr O'Donoghue said he accepted that what happened at Abbeylara "raises important issues of public interest", but it was unfair to ask to make operational guidelines and procedures public.

"This has not been done before and I will not engage in it. It has always been the case in this State and in others that matters such as this are kept confidential for obvious operational reasons."

Mr Higgins also questioned how the investigation was being carried out. He asked the Minister if he accepted that "one cannot have an investigation when a subordinate officer is in charge of investigating a superior. A Chief Superintendent is investigating an operation commanded by an Assistant Commissioner. Surely that kind of investigation lacks credibility and leaves itself open to question?"

The Minister said he was satisfied with the "credibility and integrity of the Chief Superintendent conducting the investigation. I am satisfied the result of his investigation will be truthful, fair and balanced. Deputy Higgins would do well to remember that it is very unwise to prejudge cases such as this.

"If I were to rush to judgment in the manner in which Deputy Higgins is trying to entice me, I would make a grave mistake."

The Minister also denied he knew anything of leaks to a newspaper which reported that the inquiry would clear gardai. Mr O'Donoghue said he knew nothing of leaks of that nature.