Kenny accuses Ahern of breaking promises

The Taoiseach diminished his credibility and undermined his office when he broke his promise not to free the killers of Detective Garda Jerry McCabe, it was claimed today.

Speaking during a two-hour special debate on Northern Ireland, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said Bertie Ahern’s “secret deal” to release the four IRA men had been on the negotiation table as far back as October 2003.

The Fine Gael leader’s recent Dáil question had prompted Mr Ahern’s controversial admission the killers would be freed as part of a comprehensive settlement in Northern Ireland.

Mr Kenny said today: “The breaking of his word undermines the authority of the Taoiseach and diminishes the credibility of his office.

“All members of this House will be conscious of the very strong public outrage at the notion that these thugs, who were completely disowned by the republican movement at the time, could now benefit from early release."

Mr Kenny reminded the Dáil that when Irish people overwhelmingly endorsed the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, they believed the McCabe killers wouldn’t qualify for early release.

Mr Kenny said his party asked Senator George Mitchel to successfully chair the Good Friday Agreement talks and he suggested asking “somebody from abroad” to act as a facilitator in the final round of negotiations.