Sinn Fein's Mr Martin Ferris has criticised the British government for not releasing republican prisoners. He was meeting eight of the nine republicans released from Portlaoise Prison by the Government yesterday morning.
Mr Ferris, who is on the Sinn Fein ardcomhairle ein and was one of the delegation which met the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, last week, said he was delighted with the releases, "but we must be aware that there are 30 other men left in there, and I am very disappointed with the response of the British government on releases". Mr Ferris served 13 1/2 years in Portlaoise.
"This is in marked contrast to what is happening in Britain," he said as he welcomed the men who were allowed out of the prison at 7.55 am. He said he hoped all of the 15 republican prisoners in British jails would be brought back to Ireland in the next few weeks.
He added the public should also be aware that republicans were the only people who were carrying on a ceasefire. The British and the RUC appeared not to have a ceasefire and loyalists were still attacking and killing nationalists. His hope for the new year was a "lasting peace and a united Ireland".
The number of media exceeded the number of relatives who turned up for the releases involving high-profile republicans. It appeared to be a deliberate attempt by Sinn Fein to play down the publicity surrounding the releases and none of the prisoners spoke to reporters.
"This is a day for the prisoners. It's their day and we don't want to spoil it," said Mr Ferris.
One of the released men presented him with a tea towel with the signatures of all the republican prisoners in Portlaoise.
The most high-profile prisoner released yesterday was Mr Sean Kinsella who was sentenced to life imprisonment for killing Senator Billy Fox in 1974 and who had served 20 years in England following his escape from Portlaoise two months after his conviction.
Mr Brendan Dowd (48) from Tralee also served 20 years in England before his recent transfer to Portlaoise. The oldest man in the group, Mr Eamon Maguire (59) from Clondalkin, Dublin, was jailed in the US for attempting to buy anti-aircraft missiles. Others released were Mr John Moyna, Scotstown, Co Monaghan, Mr Andrew Gillespie, Ballybofey, Co Donegal, Mr Patrick Murphy, Athboy, Co Meath, and Mr James Gibney of Monaghan, who were serving sentences for possession of explosives and firearms.
The other two men who were let out were Mr Conor O'Neill and Mr James Hughes from Dungan non, Co Tyrone, who were serving 12-year sentences for the attempted murder of a part-time member of the Ulster Defence Regiment in Co Fermanagh in 1992.