SF defends Ferris as freed McCabe killers elude media

SINN FÉIN has stood by its Kerry North deputy Martin Ferris after he helped spirit away two of the gang who killed Detective Jerry McCabe as they were released from prison.

Yesterday morning a van carrying Pearse McAuley, 42, and Kevin Walsh, 54, was driven away from Castlerea Prison as photographers and reporters were kept 200 metres back.

Mr Ferris was inside the van as it drove ahead of reporters and an unmarked garda car. After a short time the released men were transferred to another car as the transit van was used to block the pursuit.