The alleged IRA involvement in the Northern Bank robbery showed the killers of Garda Jerry McCabe should never be released, the Garda Representative Association (GRA) said today.
The GRA said the statement by Police Service Northern Ireland Chief Constable Hugh Orde, which attributed the blame to the Provisional IRA, showed the "true nature" of the organisation.
"We are still committed to the principle that these criminals and murderers remain behind bars. They should not be given any further special concessions in respect of early release," said president PJ Stone.
Jerry McCabe was shot dead in a botched IRA post office raid in Adare, County Limerick in 1996. Four men got jail terms ranging from 11 to 14 years.
The Taoiseach Mr Ahern had said the early release of the men would be part of any deal to restore power-sharing in the North.
Mrs Ann McCabe, the widow of the murdered detective, attended the GRA's meeting in Limerick today.
Mr Stone said Mr Ahern and the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell had given a commitment to inform the organisation of any decision to release the killers.
"If that were to happen, we would then organise an appropriate assembly and we would advise our members accordingly and then ask the general public for their support, which they have been giving us up to now and which we are very grateful for," he said.