THE Minister for Justice last night welcomed the decision by the British Home Secretary, Mr Michael Howard, to approve the transfer of three Provisional republican prisoners to the Republic. Mrs Owen would not comment on the significance of the move for the restoration of the IRA ceasefire, but said: "I hope these transfers will enhance the prospects for peace.
The three men, all from Dublin and all serving long sentences, are Michael O'Brien (18 years), Derek Doherty (25 years) and Paraic Mac Fhloinn (35 years). Each has served three to four years. The transfers will take seven to 10 days.
"This decision tonight could be a small but very significant step in building the confidence needed to restore the ceasefire and rebuild the peace process," said the Fianna Fail spokesman on prisoners, Mr Eamon O Cuiv.
Transferring prisoners requires the approval of both governments and the agreement of the prisoners themselves. Mrs Owen said she had given her approval several months ago and had notified the Home Office.
"I will now make the necessary legal arrangements for the transfers. They will complete their sentences in an Irish prison under the terms of the Transfer of Sentenced Persons Convention which Ireland ratified late last year.
It is understood the families of the prisoners were notified by a Department of Justice official yesterday. The transfer of the men to this State means easier access for their families. Senior political sources said the move was an important recognition of the role played by republican prisoners in the IRA ceasefire of August 1994.
Mr O Cuiv said: "Following my visit to Britain last week I felt more than ever that there was an urgent need for confidence building measures in relation to the prisoners issue. I am glad now that the British government have seen their way to granting transfers to these men.
"I am, however, totally baffled and disappointed that Joe McKenny, who is in his 70th year, has not been granted a transfer from Frankland Prison although approval was given by the Irish Minister for Justice a number of months ago. I would hope now that these transfers are the beginning of a speeded up process that would see approval granted to the remaining 16 republican prisoners seeking transfer from Britain to the Republic," Mr O Cuiv said.