Early release IRA man held over vodka heist
Justice Minister Michael McDowell expressed deep Government unease at the apparent involvement of known republicans in the crime and its possible political implications.
“I’m concerned about the potential fallout from events like this. At this stage, I want to say it is deeply disappointing that somebody who availed of the Good Friday Agreement to be released from prison on an explosives charge is found apparently in these circumstances. That’s something I can’t ignore,” he said.
He called for the IRA to disband in order to prevent claims about its involvement in criminality disrupting faltering moves towards power-sharing in the North.
The truck was hijacked on the Dublin side of Dunshaughlin and was later discovered by gardaí near Delvin, Co Westmeath.
The driver was found unhurt in Kildare following the arrest of three men in Westmeath.
Two of the men are known to be former IRA members and one was released early from Portlaoise jail in 1998 under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement while serving six years for possession of explosives.
The apparent involvement of former IRA members is almost certain to fuel unionist concern that the IRA is still involved in criminality, especially as it comes less than a week after the execution-style murder of Sinn Féin strategist-turned British spy Denis Donaldson in Donegal.
The IRA said it had no connection with the killing.
Fine Gael Seanad leader and spokesman on the North Brian Hayes expressed alarm at the alleged involvement of the former IRA men.
“Can the men be returned to prison on foot of this robbery?” he asked.
“As the law currently stands a prisoner who was released under the terms of the GFA in Northern Ireland re-offends, they can be returned to finish their sentence in Northern Ireland.
“This is not the case in the Republic as a prisoner is not released under licence.”
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