‘GUBU’ murderer seeks release

HIS dramatic arrest sparked the phrase that is forever associated with Charles Haughey.

But now infamous killer Malcolm MacArthur is fighting for his freedom — and today is expected to launch a fresh court bid to be released.

The murderer, who has served 24 years in prison, was sensationally arrested at the home of Attorney General Patrick Connolly, in August 1982. The dramatic circumstances of his arrest were described by Mr Haughey, then Taoiseach, as “grotesque, unbelievable, bizarre and unprecedented” — coined afterwards as “GUBU” by journalist Conor Cruise O’Brien.

MacArthur, 59, is serving a life sentence for the violent murder of Meath-born nurse Bridie Gargan in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, in 1982.

He was also charged with the killing of Co Offaly farmer Donal Dunne, three days before Ms Gargan’s murder, but DPP decided not to go ahead with a prosecution relating to Mr Dunne’s death after MacArthur pleaded guilty to Ms Gargan’s murder.

MacArthur’s legal team are expected to lodge an application for his release in the High Court today.

It’s understood they will argue the State failed to give any reason as to why, in July 2004, it refused a recommendation from the Parole Board that he be released — and may also invoke EU law.

Justice Minister Michael McDowell exempted himself from the decision making process as he was part of MacArthur’s defence team during his trial in 1983.

Former junior Justice Minister and now Defence Minister Willie O’Dea made the decision to keep MacArthur locked up.

Mr O’Dea said he had spoken to both the Gargan and Dunne families, and to the killer’s elderly mother, all of whom said they would be fearful for their safety if MacArthur was released.