Ann McCabe calls for 40-year jail terms

Sentencing: The widow of Det Garda Jerry McCabe, who was murdered in 1996, has called for mandatory minimum 40-year sentences…

Sentencing:The widow of Det Garda Jerry McCabe, who was murdered in 1996, has called for mandatory minimum 40-year sentences for anyone convicted of the murder of a garda.

Ann McCabe says the sentence should be “without remission”.

“The sentencing of the murder of a garda has to be 40 years without remission,” she said yesterday. “Don’t mind this thing of ‘good behaviour’”.

Det Garda Jerry McCabe (53) was shot dead as he and his partner, Det Garda Ben O’Sullivan, escorted a post office van in Adare, Co Limerick, in June 1996.

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The post van was carrying over £80,000 when a masked and armed IRA gang intercepted it. Two of the gang fired 15 rounds from an AK47 machine gun at the two experienced detectives. Det Garda McCabe was hit three times and died instantly.

Mr O’Sullivan, now retired, was hit 11 times.

Ms McCabe said the murder of Det Garda Adrian Donohoe in Dundalk brought back all the memories of the murder of her husband 17 years ago.

“Absolutely it did. I was really in shock over it . . .

“I can only just sympathise with the [Donohoe] family and all members of the force,” she added.

Ms McCabe, whose sons Ross and John are serving members of the force, said she would give her “full support” to Det Garda Donohoe’s widow and family.

“They [gardaí] go to work everyday and they do it and sometimes they don’t come back.”