Terrorist granted temporary freedom

One of Ireland’s most notorious terrorists has been temporarily let out of prison in a move seen as a first step towards his eventual release, it was revealed today.

Dessie O’Hare, who was sentenced to 40 years in jail for the kidnap and assault of a dentist, was granted temporary release early yesterday morning.

The man known as the Border Fox kidnapped and assaulted Dublin dentist John O’Grady in 1987.

He demanded a €2.1m ransom and cut off the tops of two of the man’s fingers during the ordeal.

O’Hare later said he was a member of the Irish Nationalist Liberation Army (INLA) and therefore eligible for early release under the Good Friday Agreement, which reviewed the jail terms for a number of political prisoners.

He was deemed a qualifying prisoner under the scheme as early as November 2000, by then justice minister John O’Donoghue.

But in a bid to speed up his release he undertook a legal challenge at the High Court.

Last year a judge at the court said there should be no “foot dragging” on the matter.

The Release of Prisoners Commissioner – also set up under the Belfast Agreement – considered the issue and recommended the move, having looked at psychiatric and security considerations.

O’Hare was later transferred to the lower security section of Co Roscommon’s Castlerea Prison.

He was granted his first temporary release at 6am yesterday and was due to return sometime today.