Harney: ‘No decision on McCabe killers without consultation’

The Tánaiste, Mary Harney, has insisted that a decision on whether to release the killers of Detective Garda Jerry McCabe will not be made until the Government has held discussions with the Garda Síochána and the McCabe family.

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, told the Dáil last week that he would be recommending the release as part of a deal to secure IRA decommissioning and rescue the Irish peace process.

Gardaí in Limerick have expressed anger at the comments and are meeting this morning to discuss their response.

Asked about the matter, Ms Harney said: "We've already given a commitment that there will be no decision made on this before consultation takes place both with the GRA [Garda Representative Association] and with the McCabe family and indeed Ben O'Sullivan [Garda McCabe's partner].

"The release of these prisoners does not arise from the Good Friday Agreement. The Government has always made that clear.

"However, in the context of an end to paramilitarism in all its forms, the Government has said that in that context, and only in that context, we would be prepared to consider this matter."