Body to decide on pardons for ‘on-the-runs’

AN eligibility body will be established to determine if fugitive paramilitaries, or so-called “on the runs”, should be pardoned.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern told the Dáil yesterday the body would have to be satisfied “that the person in question is not associated or affiliated in any way with an organisation that continues to engage in crime”.

The body will forward its findings to the Justice Minister, who in turn will make a recommendation to the Cabinet. “If the Cabinet is satisfied, the case will be presented to the President so that a pardon can be issued,” Mr Ahern said.