The widow of Det Garda Jerry McCabe has condemned the temporary release of Pearse McAuley (35), who is serving 14 years for the manslaughter of her husband.
McAuley was allowed out of Castlerea prison for two days on compassionate grounds. Other members of the gang involved in the attempted post office robbery in which Det Garda McCabe was killed are allowed to go shopping in the town.
The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) has also requested an explanation for McAuley's temporary release.
"I am shocked and amazed that this man was allowed out. To let him out doesn't bear thinking about," Mrs Ann McCabe said yesterday. She said she got a message he was being allowed out and said she would like to know what the compassionate grounds for his temporary release were. Mrs McCabe told the Limerick Leader: "It makes me angry. It makes everybody angry. For the life of me I can't see why Pearse McAuley would be let out."
She said she was also shocked to read in a newspaper that members of the gang were allowed out to shop in a local hardware store for material they use in the prison workshop. "I don't think they should be in Castlerea. They should be in a proper prison, not an open prison, where apparently they can be let out to do their shopping," she said.
She said the family had received an assurance the gang members would not qualify for early release under the terms of the Belfast Agreement.
McAuley, from Strabane, Co Tyrone, and Kevin Walsh, from Patrickswell, Co Limerick, got the longest sentences for their part in the killing, which took place in Adare, Co Limerick, on June 7th, 1996. Det Garda McCabe died in a hail of bullets, and his partner, Det Garda Ben O'Sullivan, was seriously wounded.
Clare Murphy adds: Mr George Maybury, general secretary of AGSI, last night said the association had continually opposed concessions for the men convicted of the killing.
He said the Government had already committed itself to omitting the republican paramilitary prisoners from provisions for early release under the Belfast Agreement.