A High Court judge yesterday expressed concern there should be no "foot-dragging" in the processing of an application by Dessie O'Hhare for his release from Portlaoise prison under the terms of the Belfast Agreement.
O'Hare was jailed for 40 years in 1987 for the kidnapping and assault of a dentist, Mr John O'Grady.
In court hearings last April, it emerged the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr O'Donoghue, had specified in November 2000 that O'Hare was a "qualifying prisoner" for early release under the terms of the agreement. O'Hare had applied for such specification seven months earlier.
However, the Minister referred O'Hare's case to the Release of Prisoners Commission on November 17th, 2000, to advise him.
On November 29th, it sought psychiatric, psychological and security reports from the Minister in relation to the matter.
Mr Justice ╙ Caoimh was told yesterday it appeared no decision or recommendation in relation to the case has yet been made by the commission. He adjourned the matter for two weeks.