A senior IRA figure jailed for the killing of Detective Garda Jerry McCabe was released from jail yesterday today married a Sinn Féin councillor.
Pearse McCauley, who is serving 14 years for killing Garda McCabe in 1996, was temporarily released from Castlerea prison to marry teacher Ms Pauline Tully in her home village of Kilnaleck, County Cavan.
About 40 guests attended the low-key service, which was noted for the absence of any senior Sinn Féin figures. There was a low police presence at Kilnaleck's St Patrick's Church, with security provided by family members and Ms Tully's brother manning the door.
McCauley (37) wearing tails, a cream silk waistcoat and lilac cravat, refused to comment as he arrived at the church at about 2.45 p.m.
He was ushered into the church by his brothers Michael and James, and was followed 20 minutes later by two bridesmaids and his bride.
Ms Tully (32) wearing a cream satin bodice and skirt embossed with gold flowers, looked nervous and refused to comment as she entered the church. The wedding was conducted by Monsignor Patrick McManus, a retired parish priest, who asked the congregation not to take photographs during the service, which was attended mostly by family members.
Monsignor McManus said afterwards that there had never been so much media attention in a wedding in the village. "I've never had so may phone calls in my life as in the last couple of days," he said. He said he was joining the couple and their guests at their evening reception at the Percy French Hotel in nearby Ballyjamesduff.
McCauley, from Strabane, County Tyrone, was one of four men jailed for the manslaughter of Detective McCabe in County Limerick. Detective McCabe (52) a father-of-five, was shot dead during the attempted robbery of a post office van in Adare, and his colleague, Detective Ben O'Sullivan, was seriously injured.
In 1999 McCauley, Michael O'Neill, Kevin Walsh and Jeremiah Sheehy were jailed for the manslaughter of Detective McCabe, receiving sentences ranging from 11 to 14 years.
Despite a campaign by Sinn Féin for their release under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement the move has been resisted by the Government.
PA