Abbeylara

Description

Abbeylara
The Tragic Shooting of John Carthy
by Regina Hennelly
ISBN 10184717017X
The O’Brien Press 2007

Includes an exclusive interview with John Carthy’s sister, Marie Carthy

On 20 April 2000 John Carthy emerged from his home in Abbeylara, County Longford after a twenty-five hour stand-off with the police during which he discharged thirty shots. He was carrying a loaded shotgun. Ignoring calls to stop, he proceeded towards the garda command post. Two shots rang out; then another two. John Carthy fell dead on the road, having been hit four times by members of an Garda Síochána.

The shooting provoked anger and raised awkward questions for the police force. Did John Carthy have to die? Was there no other way to resolve the incident?