The family of Mr John Carthy, who was shot dead by gardai outside his home in Abbeylara, Co Longford, last April, have expressed surprise that they have not been called to give evidence at the inquest into his death, which is due to open this morning.
Ms Marie Carthy, a sister of the deceased man, said yesterday that it was "strange" that neither she nor her mother, Rose, had been summoned to the coroner's court.
"Our neighbours got summonses to appear as witnesses, but we didn't. They didn't ask us to give evidence, which is a bit strange," Ms Carthy said.
The inquest into the death of Mr Carthy (27) is due to begin at county buildings in Longford town this morning. However, it is expected that the coroner, Dr Gerry McDonagh, will be asked to adjourn all evidence for two weeks shortly after the inquest opens.
Ms Carthy said that, even if she was not being called to give evidence, she would be attending the inquest with her mother. "Basically, we want to know the truth about how he died so as to prevent something similar happening again," she said.
Mr Carthy was shot four times by members of the Garda Emergency Response Unit after a 25-hour siege at his home on April 20th. The inquest is expected to hear whether or not his shotgun was loaded when he was shot.
Gardai will make a report to the inquest on the circumstances surrounding the death, as they are obliged to do under the Coroners Act 1962. However, the report of the internal Garda inquiry into the incident will not be read into the record. It is due to be published when the Dail reconvenes in October.
It is understood that more than 20 witnesses have been summoned to give evidence at the inquest, which may take a number of days.
Witnesses will include neighbours of the Carthy family, gardai and the State Pathologist, Dr John Harbison, who will give details in public for the first time of where exactly Mr Carthy was standing when he was shot and what injuries he sustained.
The Carthy family will be legally represented and will be able to ask any question which is deemed relevant.
The jury and coroner can also ask questions.
Last month the DPP ruled that no member of the Garda Siochana should be prosecuted in connection with Mr Carthy's death.
Mr Carthy's family have repeatedly called for a public inquiry into the fatal shooting to be carried out independently of the Garda.