McKevitt should be freed now, High Court told

Michael McKevitt — who is serving a 20-year sentence for directing terrorism and membership of the Real IRA — is entitled to immediate release arising from recent legal rulings concerning remission rights, the High Court has been told.

McKevitt, aged 59, of Beech Park, Blackrock, Co Louth, was convicted in 2003 but had his sentence backdated to 2001 as he was in prison on remand since then.

In his challenge to his continuing detention, he argues he is entitled to one-third remission of his sentence arising from good behaviour and participation in structured activities in Portlaoise Prison. In court yesterday, Michael O’Higgins, for McKevitt, said the Supreme Court had decided last August such a case should proceed via judicial review rather than a constitutional challenge to the legality of detention. His side wanted an urgent hearing of their judicial review as it was their case McKevitt should be out of jail, he said.