Disquiet over the shooting focused on the force used by gardaí and apparent contradictions in their accounts, writes Security Editor, Jim Cusack
The television and newspaper images of the "siege" at Abbeylara played a large part in the subsequent controversy.
The Garda allowed cameras to show members of the Emergency Response Unit in combat uniform and also their assault rifles, shotguns and pistols. A few hours after the cameras left, John Carthy emerged from the house armed with a shotgun and was able to walk towards a Garda "command post" about 90 yards from his house.
He was challenged by gardaí and when he failed to stop and appeared to be cocking his shotgun he was shot three times. The first two shots struck him in the leg. Gardaí told the subsequent internal investigation Mr Carthy continued walking towards the command post. A further shot was fired from behind entering his body "at the base of the spine and exited through the scrotum", the report said.
The report found that after this third shot "John Carthy continued to walk towards the command post". A third officer then aimed at Mr Carthy's torso and fired a fourth and fatal shot.
The question of whether or not it was possible for any man to continue walking after being shot through the spine and scrotum was raised by Socialist Party TD Mr Joe Higgins. However, this is one of the central issues still unexplained.
Mr Carthy's family have sought answers to questions about the conduct of the siege: why Mr Carthy, a depressive and heavy smoker, was denied cigarettes and medication; why the media were given access to the scene and broadcast details of the siege which Mr Carthy could hear on radio or television; and the restrictions placed on communication between him, his family, psychiatrist, and a solicitor.
They also wish to know why his body was removed before it could be examined by a pathologist and why the authorities allowed the house to be demolished before a detailed examination could take place.