Judgment reserved in McKevitt case

Co Louth man Michael McKevitt, who is serving 20 years for directing terrorism and membership of the Real IRA, has claimed his participation in structured prison activities mean he is entitled to maximum remission and he should be released immediately.

He has brought a legal challenge claiming the Minister for Justice is obliged to release him following two recent High Court rulings relating to remission.

He says he is entitled to one-third remission because he has participated in structured prison activities including courses in computing, speech and drama, art, French, yoga, and an Open University course in creative writing.

The Minister says she is entitled to refuse him remission by taking into account Garda views and other matters about his risk of reoffending.

Following legal submissions from both sides yesterday, Mr Justice Peter Kelly reserved his judgment.

McKevitt (59), of Beech Park, Blackrock, Co Louth, was jailed for 20 years in 2003 with is sentence backdated to 2001.

Michael O’Higgins SC said while there may be some “cynical views” about the yoga and his improved use of English, unless there was evidence to the contrary, it followed that his client must benefit from it.