McCabe widow hopes images will end issue of killers’ release

THE wife of Detective Garda Gerry McCabe consented to the publication of photographs of her dead husband in order to put the subject of his killers’ possible early release to rest.

The decision by Anne McCabe followed reports last week that the Government was willing to release the killers of Garda McCabe if there was an end to IRA paramilitary activity.

The photographs published in the Sunday World newspaper show the detective's lifeless body after being hit by a hail of bullets fired by IRA robbers in Adare, Co Limerick, on June 7, 1996.

"It was a very difficult decision for the family to make," said garda representative and family friend Paul Browne. "The reason was very simple. Anne McCabe, once and for all, wants to attempt to put this to bed."

Mr Browne is the executive member for Limerick with the Garda Representative Association (GRA).

"At this stage, it is a disgrace that politics is being played left, right and centre. The people who killed their father and husband must stay in jail for the term the courtsentence them to.

"Once and for all, for God's sake, will everyone take note to put that to bed and let those individuals serve out their term in full," said Mr Browne.

GRA president Dermot O'Donnell said the photographs spoke for themselves. "Pictures say a thousand words. Well, these say 10 times that. This focuses on the horror of what took place and the brutality of it and the evilness of it.

"These people went out prepared for murder, armed with Kalashnikov assault weapons. No one fired a shot back at them. Gda McCabe died in a hail of bullets."

He said it must have been horrendously hurtful for the family to agree to the publication of the pictures.

"The family, knowing how painful this would be for them, felt it was important enough that these should be printed and consented to it. It shows the depth of feeling they have.

"The undertakings and guarantees that they were given and they were left in no doubt these people would not be released and would serve their sentences have to be respected."

Last Wednesday, GRA representatives met Justice Minister Michael McDowell to raise concerns over reports the four killers could be freed in a deal securing an end to IRA activity.

Mr O'Donnell said they would be meeting the minister again on the matter.

"He gave us certain assurances that gave us some level of reassurance and satisfaction. The minister undertook to talk to colleagues in Cabinet and the Taoiseach and to revert back to us."

Killers Kevin Walsh and Pearse McCauley are serving 14 years, while Jeremiah Sheehy and Michael O'Neill are serving 12 and 11 years respectively.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny yesterday said that "under no circumstances" should the killers receive early release.