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 Siochana.

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?