Senior gardai involved in the Carty inquiry in Co Donegal have said they are still awaiting an autopsy result from the State pathologist seven weeks after the body of Raphoe man, Richie Barron, was exhumed.
A solicitor representing the family has expressed dissatisfaction with the delay, saying the agony of the family was being prolonged. Gardai close to the investigation have said they believed the State pathologist, Dr John Harbison, was carrying out detailed tests. While autopsy reports are generally available much sooner, tests needed in this case were "more complicated". Dr Harbison is believed to have taken holidays in the intervening period.
Det Supt Tadhg Foley, a member of the Carty team, said he believed it was more important that all necessary tests were carried out at this stage. This is the second autopsy on Mr Barron's body as the first post-mortem examination, which was not carried out by the State pathologist, proved inconclusive.
Mr Barron's body was found on a roadside near Raphoe in October 1996 with serious head injuries, but it was never established whether he died as a result of a hit-and-run accident or an assault. The Garda handling of the investigation into his death led to allegations of corruption against members of the force and an internal inquiry, headed by Assistant Commissioner Kevin Carty, is still going on.
Mr Barron's body was exhumed on July 6th and Dr Harbison carried out an autopsy in a specially-prepared shelter in the graveyard. He took away samples for further testing.
Mr Barron's daughter, Ms Deirdre McGlinchey, told The Irish Times the family was told at that time to expect a delay in getting a result.
"If nothing happens within the next couple of weeks then we would start to get worried, but with something like this you don't want to rush it. We would rather it was done properly," Ms McGlinchey said.
Mr Paudge Dorrian, the solicitor representing the family, said he believed the delay was unacceptable. "The family have a right to know the result and to be put out of their agony," he said.