Gardai withdraw legal representatives from Barr tribunal

The remaining legal representatives of the Garda Síochána withdrew from the Barr tribunal this afternoon, which continued its work despite their absence.

The vice-president of the Garda Representative Association, Mr Chris Lee told ireland.comthat solicitor for the Garda Síochána, Mr Tom Murphy and his counsel did not attend the afternoon sitting of the tribunal.

The tribunal was hearing evidence from Professor Jack Philips, a consultant neurosurgeon at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin, who examined x-rays of John Carthy's body taken at the post mortem.

Mr Lee said a statement from the chairman of the Barr tribunal, Mr Justice Robert Barr last Tuesday "did no go far enough" to address the concerns of gardai involved in the Abbeylara siege.

His statement referred to a clash before Christmas with Mr John Rogers SC, for An Garda Síochána, which led to Mr Rogers withdrawing from the tribunal.

Mr Justice Barr said in his statement that Mr Rogers may have made certain comments and submissions, leading to the clashes and his withdrawal, "in the heat of the moment".

Mr Rogers stood down in December following testimony by the State Pathologist, Prof John Harbison, in which the possibility of Mr Carthy being hit by a fifth shot was raised.

Mr Lee said he hoped the chairman of the tribunal would expand on his statement to facilitate the return of the legal representatives for Garda Síochána.

"I want to stress this - no decision has been made as to where we go from here. I would hope that we can return to the tribunal. At least 95 per cent of garda officers have already given evidence and we cannot remain outside [the tribunal] indefinitely either."

He said two letters outlining the concerns of the gardai had been sent to Mr Justice Barr over the Christmas period.

Mr Lee said he expected some instruction from his legal team tomorrow morning. Three members of the Garda Síochána; Sergeant Daniel J Monahan, Garda John J Daly and Garda Eugene Watters are among the four witnesses scheduled to appear at the tribunal tomorrow.