Gardaí ‘will not rule out protest action’ if killers freed

REPRESENTATIVES of rank and file gardaí yesterday refused to rule out taking protest action if the killers of Jerry McCabe are freed early.

Members of the Garda Representative Association (GRA) said they would have to go back to their executive to discuss what action should be taken if the release of the IRA members is announced.

Paul Browne, a GRA representative from Limerick, led a delegation that met the Taoiseach and Justice Minister Michael McDowell in government buildings. They received no comfort from the half hour meeting.

Mr Browne said they were told there was no question of an announcement on their release until certain conditions had been met. “That day has not yet come,” he said.

The GRA is totally opposed to the early release of the four inmates still being held in Castlerea Prison on charges connected with the June 1996 murder of Garda McCabe.

Pearse McCauley, Kevin Walsh, Jeremiah Sheehy and Michael O’Neill are serving between 11 and 14 years.

“We would like to categorically state that our position on this issue has not changed,” said Mr Browne. “The Taoiseach and the minister have accepted our position on the matter. The Taoiseach was informed that regardless of the conditions being met, the GRA’s position would not change on the matter.”

The Taoiseach, while stating that once certain conditions are met, the question of the four being released would arise in the future, promised to keep the GRA informed and also bring their views to what was described “the appropriate forum.”

Questioned on the possibility of action by members of the force in the event of their release, Mr Browne said the delegation will have to first report back to the GRA’s executive council. He was unable to pre-judge what will come out of that meeting.

Gardaí are barred from taking strike action but may consider other forms of protest, similar to the “blue flu” of some years ago when thousands of members went out sick.

The continued debate over the prisoners has affected morale within the force, said Mr Browne.

Furthermore, he said the issue was not only about Garda McCabe, but also the future of the largely unarmed force.

A delegation from the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors also met with the Minister McDowell yesterday. They restated their “implacable” opposition to their early release in any circumstances.

“We had a frank discussion with the Minister about speculation about the possible release of these people as part of an overall settlement of the Northern Ireland situation,” said association president Joe Dirwan. “We repeated our strong conviction that they should not be released under any circumstances. We also told him that we deplored the stress and pain being caused to Mrs Anne McCabe by the regular raising of this issue without any apparent consultation with her.”

The matter will be raised at the association’s national executive meeting on December 15 and 16.