SF hears calls for release of McCabe killers

The Sinn Fein Ard fheis has heard a call for the release of an IRA gang jailed in connection of the 1996 murder of garda detective in Co Limerick.

Detective Garda Jerry McCabe was shot dead during a robbery attempt in the village of Adare.

Five IRA members were later jailed for his manslaughter, while another was jailed on a related conspiracy charge.

The Government has consistently refused to free the men under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, which allows for the early release of members of terrorist groups such as the IRA which are on ceasefires.

An attempt in the Dublin High Court to secure freedom for two of men failed last week.

But former IRA man Martin Ferris told the conference today: “The Minister for Justice and the Government must realise there is an obligation on them to implement the Good Friday agreement – and that includes the release of the five.”