John Carthy was told to put down his gun several times before he was shot dead by gardaí outside his home in Abbeylara, Co Longford, on the evening of April 20th, 2000, a Garda witness to the killing told the Barr tribunal.
Det Garda James Campbell was armed and in position behind a Garda Emergency Response Unit jeep, when Mr Carthy emerged from his house into the roadway.
"I heard shouting coming from the direction of Carthy's house, it was, 'he's coming out, he's coming out'.
"I saw activity at the negotiation point, ERU people were moving about there and I took out my revolver."
Det Campbell moved to the space between the jeep and the wall of Mr Carthy's neighbour. It was at this point he saw Mr Carthy emerge onto the road.
"I saw Mr Carthy come out on to the road with his gun in his two hands. He walked straight across the road. I heard shouting of 'put down the gun John'. There was a lot of general shouting as well."
Det Campbell then moved back to the road side of the jeep. From this point he could see Mr Carthy moving up the road towards him, still holding his gun. Three ERU gardaí were positioned across the road behind Mr Carthy.
"The ERU members continued to shout, 'put down the gun John'. I didn't hear Mr Carthy make a reply."
Det Campbell, moved behind the jeep again, because, he said, Mr Carthy's gun was pointing in his direction.
"He wasn't taking aim at me but I felt that if he pulled the trigger there was a danger I could get shot."
He did not see Mr Carthy again until after he had been shot. He told the tribunal he heard three or four shots which sounded like they were from different guns.
"Then I saw Mr Carthy lying on the road."
