The Government has no plans to introduce new legislation to ensure convicted murderers spend longer periods in prison, despite a statement by the Taoiseach in the Dáil yesterday that there should be tougher sentencing "so that a life sentence means life".
"This should apply to a person going out with a knife or a gun in their pocket on any night, or who returns home for a gun, or who has a gun in a car and who blasts an innocent person," Mr Ahern said.
The Taoiseach was commenting in the wake of the killing of Donna Cleary in Dublin at the weekend and sustained Opposition criticism of Government policy on serious crime.
"I believe the parole board view is to go to 15 years. Unless the circumstances are seen differently by the parole board, why should the sentence not be far tougher?" he said.
The main suspect in the case, Dwayne Foster (24), Woodbrook Avenue, Finglas, who gardaí believe fired the shot that killed Ms Cleary, died in custody at 3.15am yesterday after being brought to Beaumont Hospital from Coolock Garda station. He had earlier repeatedly complained of headaches and had been seen by two doctors at the Garda station before being taken for tests to Beaumont Hospital at 9pm on Monday.
He was discharged at about 10pm after undergoing tests and was returned to Coolock Garda station. However, he was found unconscious in his cell at 2.30am with blood visible from his nose.
He was brought by ambulance back to Beaumont Hospital but died at 3.15am. He was a chronic heroin and cocaine user and had also suffered from throat cancer.
Last night, a spokeswoman for Mr Ahern clarified his commentson sentencing, saying there was no new initiative being considered by Government.
"The Taoiseach did not have any particular initiative in mind on this issue in the Dáil today as none is necessary," she said.
Mr Ahern also denied that earlier comments he had made about the apparent leniency of some prison sentences were aimed at members of the judiciary.
Indication that tougher sentencing will not be introduced for murderers came as two people implicated in the killing of Ms Cleary appeared at a late-night sitting of Dublin District Court. They appeared in the Bridewell, to have their detention extended by a further 24 hours to 11pm tonight.
A husband and wife who were also being questioned about the murder were released without charge at 11pm last night. A file on them is being sent to the DPP.
An internal Garda inquiry into the death of Dwayne Foster began yesterday morning. It is being conducted by Chief Supt Pat Magee from the Sligo-Leitrim division, assisted by Supt John McMahon who is based at Tuam, Co Galway.
All members of the force who came into contact with Foster during his detention will be interviewed. The two doctors who treated him at the Garda station will also be spoken to, as will some staff at Beaumont Hospital.
In a statement last night the hospital said it would co-operate with any Garda inquiry if requested. It was already conducting its own review of the case.
Some of Ms Cleary's family members also issued a statement last night in which they said she should have been entitled to her safety.
They did not accept that she was in the wrong place at the wrong time. They said that the funeral arrangements had not been confirmed and appealed to the media for privacy.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said the Government must act with urgency in tackling serious crime.
"We heard the Minister for Justice describe this shooting as a watershed. As usual with the Minister, he believes it is a watershed for everyone else."