Harney: Killers cannot be freed under Agreement

The Tánaiste Mary Harney said tonight that the IRA killers of Det Garda Jerry McCabe could not be released under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern caused outrage on Tuesday when he said in the Dáil that the four men may have to be freed to secure full arms decommissioning from the IRA.

They are serving between 11 and 14 years for the manslaughter of McCabe who was shot during a botched post office raid in Adare, Co Limerick, in 1996.

The IRA leadership denied responsibility for the attack at the time but Sinn Féin always insisted that the men should qualify for early release under the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.

However Ms Harney said tonight that the Minister for Justice had indicated to McCabe’s widow Anne and the Garda Representative Association that “there will be no change in government policy” without specific discussions with them.

Det Garda Ben O’Sullivan, who was seriously injured in the attack – would also be consulted, she said.

Ms Harney added: “Clearly, in the context of an end to paramilitarism in all its aspects, the Government may take a different view.”

“But that situation has not yet arisen and until it does, the Government is not going to negotiate on this matter.”