Ahern says McCabe killers will be released under North deal

The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has told the Dáil that the IRA killers of Detective Garda Jerry McCabe will be freed from prison as part of a deal to restore power-sharing government in the North.

Despite previously insisting that the men would serve their full sentences, Mr Ahern said today that he would be recommending their release as part of an agreement to secure complete IRA decommissioning.