IRA fugitives seek freedom as part of deal

Up to 30 IRA fugitives could be allowed to return to Northern Ireland with a guarantee of freedom under a new deal hammered out between the British government and republican leaders.

Sinn Fein has been pressing hard for the on-the-runs to come home as part any agreement to restore devolution.

Republicans claim the issue has remained an anomaly with paramilitary prisoners already freed under the Good Friday Agreement.

But outraged unionists insist no amnesty should be granted and pledged to mount a campaign to thwart the plans.

Among top republicans bidding to return to the jurisdiction are Rita O’Hare, Sinn Fein’s publicity chief in the United States.

O’Hare has been wanted for questioning about a shooting in Belfast more than 30 years ago.

Hunger striker Bobby Sands’ election agent Owen Carron is another set to benefit under the plans.

Carron, who succeeded Sands as the MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone after his death, jumped bail while facing gun charges.

Under the proposals, all paramilitary fugitives would face a form of judicial commission, but would escape being thrown back in prison.

They would be released on licence, similar to the terrorists freed after the Good Friday Agreement was signed in 1998.

However, Reg Empey, one of the senior Ulster Unionist negotiators at the talks at Hillsborough Castle, Co Down, insisted the two were completely separate.

He said: “The issue of on-the-runs is outside the Belfast Agreement.

“It is something that has been the discussion of both Sinn Fein and the British government for some time now.

“The reason we are here today is to deal with the end of private armies.”

Party sources claimed any amnesty could not be stomached.

One said: “It will be opposed be us at Westminster and the (British) government will have serious problems getting it through the Lords.”

Sinn Fein tried to play down the issue’s significance, but insisted the British government had to deliver this time.

A senior republican source said: “It’s an emotive issue, but it’s not a big deal. We are only talking about 30 people.

“It was never expected to be an amnesty. All we need is a mechanism to deal with the issue, and I think we have that.

“But we have been told that before, after the Weston Park talks.”