Brothers of murdered Garda seek law change

The brothers of a hero Garda murdered exactly 30 years ago have broken their silence to reveal their devastation at the early release of his killers.

Unarmed sergeant PJ Morrissey, 49, was gunned down while responding to an armed robbery on June 27, 1985. His killers, Michael McHugh and Noel Callan, were due to be executed, but had their sentences commuted to 40 years in prison.

However, they will walk free 10 years early, having secured 25% remission on their sentences, and could be out by Christmas.

PJ’s heartbroken brothers Marty and George have demanded Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald change the law to ensure those convicted of murdering a Garda serve the full 40 years.

Marty, 76, from Belturbet, Co Cavan, said: “These men were already shown mercy by having their death sentences commuted and we don’t agree with their early release. PJ died in service of the State and we believe his killers should serve every day of that 40 years, as to my mind they have never shown remorse.

“Those men left a mother without her son, a wife without her husband, four children without a father, and us without our brother. PJ was a wonderful human being and his killing was a callous act.”

George, 78, added: “PJ’s loss was immeasurable. It is still as fresh as the day he died. Time stopped for PJ that day and in a sense it stopped for all the family.

“PJ made the supreme sacrifice and we don’t agree that these men should ever have been granted remission. The law needs to be changed.”

In 1985, McHugh, then 23 and Callan, 22, robbed a labour exchange in Ardee, Co Louth. Sgt Morrissey, off duty and unarmed, chased them and was first shot in the leg by McHugh, who then stood over him and executed him with a bullet to the head.