Ahern in pledge over McCabe killers
None of the killers of Detective Garda Jerry McCabe will be released early, apart from their statutory entitlement to remission for good behaviour, the Taoiseach told the Dáil today.
It emerged yesterday that Michael O’Neill, one of the four IRA members jailed for the manslaughter of the officer, will be freed on May 17 after serving eight years of a 11-year sentence.
Det. Gda McCabe was killed and his colleague, Det. Gda Ben O’Sullivan was seriously wounded in the botched post office raid in Adare, Co Limerick, in June 1996.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern today told the Dáil: “There is no question of this prisoner, or any other prisoner convicted in relation to the horrific events at Adare, being released ahead of time.”
The other prisoners currently serving longer sentences for their part in the attack are Pearse McCauley, Kevin Walsh and Jeremiah Sheehy.
Raising the issue during Leaders’ Questions, opposition leader Enda Kenny recalled the trial judge’s comments in relation to the intimidation suffered by witnesses.
He also referred to a report by the Inspector of Prisons, Justice Dermot Kinlen saying that the IRA prisoners were not incarcerated in cells but in bungalows in ’the Grove’ area of Castlerea Prison.
Mr Ahern replied that each breach of prison rules is punishable by loss of remission up to a maximum of up to 14 days.
He added that O’Neill had only lost a total of 12 days of his statutory remission, which currently represents 25% of a total sentence.
“The Prison Service has no legal authority to detain him beyond May 17,” Mr Ahern added.
Widow Ann McCabe said yesterday she will be celebrating her grandson’s Holy Communion around the time the first of her husband’s killers is released from prison.
She is due to address the Jerry McCabe Fellowship Breakfast at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York next week.
The release of O’Neill from Castlerea Prison so close to the likely general election date could trigger a barrage of criticism against the Government.
There was public outrage in 2004 when it emerged that a behind-the-scenes deal between the Government and Sinn Féin could have seen the men released to coax the republican movement to embrace democratic politics.
McCauley and Walsh received 14-year sentences, while Sheehy was jailed for 12 years.
One quarter of a sentence can be cut if an inmate shows good behaviour while in prison.
The Government has persistently denied Sinn Féin claims that the killers should qualify for early release under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.
