Guerin murder suspect turned down for early release
Justice Minister Michael McDowell has rejected an application from a chief suspect in journalist Veronica Guerin’s murder to be given early release from jail, it emerged today.
Lawyers for convicted drug runner Patrick ‘Dutchy’ Holland claimed he should not be forced to serve his 12-year sentence in full. They said it was excessive.
His legal team appealed to President Mary McAleese, who has the power to cancel a prison term without granting a pardon, to have the remainder of his jail term remitted.
But Mr McDowell has chosen not to recommend the 66-year-old career criminal be granted freedom.
Holland’s lawyers had claimed he was being unlawfully detained in Portlaoise Prison for possession of cannabis, valued at the time of his 1997 trial at around £100,000.
They claimed there were irregularities in the conviction and insisted his sentence was too severe and have highlighted his good behaviour in jail.
Holland’s legal advisor Giovanni di Stefano, famed for his work with some of the world’s most notorious criminals, claimed the President should be allowed to make her own decision.
He said Mr McDowell was interfering with due process.
“Leaving quite apart that the current Minister of Justice has usurped his functions yet again and should resign, there are no provisions within the Constitution for any advice from anyone to be taken,” Mr di Stefano said.
“The Irish President must make her own decision based solely on the submissions. The Irish Constitution does not allow for any members of government to advise the President.
“Yet again the current minister has shown his true colours bring prejudice and bias into a government department.”
Dutchy Holland has served seven years of a 12-year term. He was jailed for 20 years at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin in November 1997 for possession of cannabis. On appeal the sentence was reduced to 12 years.
The High Court previously refused an application by Holland challenging his jail sentence.
Dutchy Holland is due for release in April 2006.
But Mr McDowell has made it clear Dutchy Holland should be given the opportunity for parole or be allowed to attend the Training Unit in Dublin’s Mountjoy Jail.
