The inquest into the death of Mr John Carthy, who was shot dead by gardai outside his home in Abbeylara, Co Longford, in April was adjourned to next month shortly after it opened in Longford yesterday.
Legal representatives for Mr Carthy's family sought the adjournment to October 9th to give them an opportunity to examine statements and depositions taken from up to 30 people by the county coroner, Dr Gerry McDonagh.
Afterwards the Carthy family solicitor, Mr Peter Mullan, again called for a public inquiry into the death of the 27-year-old who was shot four times by gardai following a 25-hour siege at his home on April 20th.
Mr Paul Greene, instructed by Garrett Sheehan & Co, solicitors, told the coroner he understood all the statements which would be presented to the inquest would be furnished to him this week, and he needed time to consider them.
Counsel for the State, Mr Christopher Meehan, said he had no views on the application for an adjournment "one way or another".
However, he said there was considerable public anxiety to have the inquest dealt with expeditiously and to have all issues fully aired. He was anxious that the inquest should get under way as quickly as possible.
Mr Thomas Murphy of Hughes, Murphy & Co, solicitors, Dublin, said he was seeking representation for members of the Garda, from the rank of inspector down, during the course of the proceedings. He indicated he did not have a problem with an adjournment.
He also made an application to be furnished with all statements and depositions which had been taken in advance of the inquest. Supt Tom Murphy of Longford said he did not believe there would be a problem with that.
The coroner said they were all assembled to open the inquest into the death of the late Mr Carthy, and he would listen to any submissions or applications for adjournments. He said the start date seemed to be the problem. He had hoped evidence would commence in two weeks time, he said.
He added that Longford County Council's chamber, where the inquest opened, was only available at infrequent intervals, and the State Pathologist, Dr John Harbison, was not available "at the drop of a hat" either.
Asked for his opinion, Supt Murphy said he had no objection to the application for an adjournment. The date suggested in October would be suitable from a Garda point of view, he said.
Counsel for the Carthy family said there was an anxiety on the part of the family of the deceased that the inquest take place as quickly as possible. Dr McDonagh said it would be best to have it under way as expeditiously as possible and adjourned the inquest, which had sat for just five minutes, to October 9th.
Ms Marie Carthy, the dead man's sister, attended the inquest with cousins and friends. Her mother, Rose, was not present. Some members of the Abbeylara community watched proceedings from a public gallery Also present was Chief Supt Padraic Tansey from Mullingar, and Supt Joe Shelley, who was present in Abbeylara during the siege.
Afterwards, Mr Mullan said he welcomed the fact that the coroner had allowed the family access to all statements and depositions in advance of evidence being heard. "The matter has been adjourned to give us an opportunity to consider those statements to October 9th and the Carthy family are anxious, if at all possible, that the inquest would go on that date," he said.
"We still feel a public inquiry is needed in relation to the death of John Carthy because an inquest will simply provide us with a verdict as to how he died and not why he died," he added.
He said he did not know if members of the Garda Emergency Response Unit would give evidence. "It is a matter for the coroner how many witnesses he wants to call," he said.
Asked if the gardai who shot Mr Carthy were seeking anonymity at the inquest, he said he did not think this was an issue. "The gardai were represented today, and there does not seem to be an indication that they will seek anonymity. If it becomes an issue we will deal with it then," he said.
The Garda report on the circumstances in which members of the force killed Mr Carthy will not be published until the Dail resumes in October. It will be released to the public through the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Equality and Women's Rights.
The DPP has ruled that the gardai involved have no case to answer.