Members of the Garda Emergency Response Unit (ERU) were dismayed by the sub-committee's response to their application for immunity from the Abbeylara inquiry, the High Court heard today.
Counsel for the ERU, Mr John Rogers SC, told the court the nine gardaí he represented were aware of the workings of the law and were offended and dismayed that their submissions were not being "taken seriously".
Mr Rogers reminded the court chairman of the Oireachtas sub-committee Mr Seán Ardagh had, on the opening day of the hearing, accused him of attempting to "put a spanner in the works" of the inquiry.
Mr Rogers said Mr Ardagh then told him he would respond to his request for the ERU’s immunity from the inquiry on the next working day but would continue as they had been doing until then.
Mr Rogers said he had a difficulty with this and it illustrated the manner in which the inquiry was proceeding. He said "the sense was we were simply going to be swept aside".
He said the application process for the ERU’s immunity was now "stayed", pending the outcome of the High Court hearing.
Mr Sean Ryan SC for the Oireachtas sub-committee was granted leave to file an affidavit on behalf of his clients next Monday when the case resumes.