Killers’ statement ‘cynical and opportunistic’
The Garda Representative Association said it was highly cynical for the killers of Det Garda Jerry McCabe to ask the people of Ireland to believe that his death was a dreadful accident.
Limerick GRA chairman Kevin McCarthy said it was no surprise to many GRA members that the gang were seeking early release.
"They are opportunists in the extreme," he said, adding that it was a highly cynical exercise. "I have no doubt at all, (cynical) with a capital C," he said.
"The GRA was at the forefront all along looking for an apology but you must put that into the context of which the apology is made. In this case one would treat it with a large grain of salt."
The four men Kevin Walsh, Pearse McCauley, Jeremiah Sheehy and Michael O'Neill were convicted of the manslaughter of Det Garda McCabe in a robbery attempt in Adare in June 1996. They were jailed in 1999 for up to 14 years each.
In a statement from their cells in Castelrea Prison, the killers said: "We deeply regret the death of Garda Jerry McCabe and the wounding of Garda Ben O'Sullivan during an IRA operation in Adare in June 1996.
"We deeply regret and apologise for this and the hurt and grief we have caused the families.
"There was never any intent to attack any members of the Garda Siochána."
The four claimed the Government was presenting their release as an obstacle to the peace process and said: "We do not want our release to be part of any further negotiations with the Irish Government."
Mr McCarthy said the issue of their release should never have been allowed on to the negotiating table.
"All they are really saying now is we are taking the advantage of the high moral ground here and are prepared to serve our time."
The men, who have ruled out any negotiations towards early release as part of the peace process, will continue to serve their sentences for the 1996 killing, though all will be out within five years.
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