Shatter slams garda handling of Clonmel deaths
Fine Gael’s Alan Shatter has criticised the Gardai for cancelling a press conference at which they had promised to reveal details about the deaths of a father and daughter in Clonmel, Co Tipperary yesterday.
Corkman Christopher Crowley apparently shot his six-year-old daughter Deirdre in the head before turning the gun on himself. He had abducted the girl from his estranged wife 21 months ago, sparking a garda manhunt.
It emerged last night that Gardai had called to the house in Clonmel and had spoken to Mr Crowley just minutes before the shootings.
The Gardai said today that they will not be commenting on the case and no details will be released until the inquest. They had earlier promised to answer questions at a specially convened press conference.
Deputy Shatter said this shows a lack of transparency in garda procedures. "It is important that the general public are made aware of the extent to which the Gardai planned the approach to be taken when the visit took place," he said.
"There are questions that need to be asked and explanations given about the events that led to the tragedy."
