The DPP's decision not to contest an appeal brought by Mr Frank Shortt because a garda involved in the case was himself the subject of an investigation has prompted fresh calls for a public inquiry into allegations of Garda corruption in Co Donegal.
There is growing unease in the county that the matter has not been brought to a conclusion but has become more entangled and confusing.
Many public representatives are slow to comment publicly and while some say confidence in the Garda is badly dented, many people also believe all the gardai in the county are being unfairly tainted.
Mr Jim Higgins TD of Fine Gael said he intended to raise the matter in the Dail and in the light of the Shortt case would be asking the Minister for Justice what the consequences would be "in terms of current and further prosecutions" until the investigation into allegations of Garda corruption was finally concluded.
Mr Sean Maloney, a Fine Gael councillor in Letterkenny, said he was concerned the DPP had still not taken a decision arising from the Carty report.
"The DPP is not helping by holding back. People want this mess to be cleaned up, and if that means a public inquiry, let it be so. There are so many good guards in Donegal but everyone is now tarred with the one brush," he said.
Chief Supt Nacie Rice of the Donegal Division said he could not comment until he had received a full report of yesterday's court hearing.
"All I can say is that we produce the evidence for the DPP, and it is up to him to decide to prosecute or not in any case, and we will live with whatever decision he makes", he said. Chief Supt Rice said he had found that "the overwhelming majority of gardai in this division are honest, decent, hardworking people" and that they "are as good as, if not better, than any division in the country".
He was "determined to set up a good transparent practice" but he believed most people in Donegal knew the vast majority of gardai were honourable.
Chief Supt Rice said the investigation into the death of a Raphoe cattle dealer, Mr Richie Barron, was still ongoing.