Adams apologises for republican killings of forces

For the first time, Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has apologised to the family of murdered garda Jerry McCabe.

He also apologised to other members of State forces killed by republicans.

This is the first time Mr Adams has made an apology to the McCabe family. In 2003, he described Det Garda McCabe’s murder in 1996 as “reprehensible” but refused to apologise.

Jerry McCabe’s widow Ann, who was in Dundalk last night in advance of Det Garda Adrian Donohoe’s funeral today, refused to respond to the apology.

“She wants the focus to remain on the death of Detective Donohoe,” said a spokesman for the McCabe family. “What has happened to the Donohoes is very grave and was really a replica of Jerry’s death.”

Mr Adam’s comments came as members of the Dáil, led by Taoiseach Enda Kenny, condemned the killing of Det Garda Donohoe in Co Louth on Friday.

Mr Kenny said everything possible would be done to bring the killers of Det Garda Donohoe, 41, to justice. He told the Dáil: “I assure the family of Adrian Donohoe, and the people of Ireland, that those who committed this barbarous act of cowardice will face the full rigours of the law.

” The penalty for those found guilty of killing a member of An Garda Síochána is a minimum mandatory sentence of 40 years imprisonment upon conviction. The individuals who committed this crime will serve that.”

Mr Adams said the death of Det Garda Donohue had provoked memories of the killing of Garda McCabe and the wounding of Ben O’Sullivan in June 1996.

“I want to apologise to Mrs McCabe and the McCabe family, and to Garda Ben O’Sullivan and to the families of other members of the State forces who were killed by republicans in the course of the conflict,” said Mr Adams. “I am very sorry for the pain and the loss inflicted on those families. No words of mine can remove that hurt and dreadful deeds cannot be undone.”

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore said the murder was not just an attack on the gardaí but was also an attack on Irish people and on society.

Justice Minister Alan Shatter said he had been contacted by his British and Northern counterparts, who pledged that police would help bring the killers to justice.

Mr Shatter said that a “cold-blooded gang” were behind the murder and had deliberately taken the life of a member of the force.

The Dáil will be suspended temporarily today to allow members attend Det Garda Donohoe’s funeral.