The four men convicted of killing Det Garda Jerry McCabe have issued a statement stating their regret at his death and at the injuring of his colleague, Det garda Ben O'Sullivan, during a failed robbery in Adare, Co Limerick in June, 1996.
The four - Kevin Walsh, Pearse McAuley, Jerry Sheehy and Michael O'Neill - are serving between 11 and 14 years for the manslaughter of Det Garda McCabe.
In the statement released this afternoon, the men said 'we deeply regret and apologise for this and the hurt and grief we have caused to their families. There was never any intent to attack any members of the Garda Síochána'.
The four also repeated their view that they are 'qualifying IRA prisoners under the Good Friday Agreement' saying 'this has been confirmed by the High Court and the Supreme Court'.
Det Garda McCabe died after being shot during an attempted post office robbery at Adare, Co Limerick in June 1996. His colleague, Det Garda Ben O'Sullivan, was injured.
Sinn Féin TD for Kerry North Martin Ferris welcomed the statement.
He said "I believe their apology to the McCabe and O'Sullivan families is genuine as is their desire not to be used as a blockage to ongoing efforts to re-build the peace process
"Sinn Féin will continue to campaign for the release of the four men but we will honour their request that this will not be part of negotiations," he added.
Delegates at last week's Sinn Féin ardfheis read out messages of support for the men. One delegate said the four had been used as "a political football" in recent months, and called for their release.
"We are under no illusion that this is a difficult and emotional subject for many people, but they are qualifying prisoners and they should be released," he said.
McCabe and O'Sullivan families is genuine as is their desire not to be used as a blockage to ongoing efforts to re-build the peace process.