'No alternative' for Ahern on garda killers

There will be no peace deal on the North if the Government does not address the early release of those involved in the killing of Det Garda Jerry McCabe, the Taoiseach has insisted in the Dáil.

"That has been made clear in the negotiations," Mr Ahern said. "I do not have an alternative." It was one of two issues, including "on-the-runs", which had to be dealt with, he said as he defended his Dáil announcement on Wednesday that those convicted of the manslaughter of Det Garda McCabe would be released early if a comprehensive peace deal was agreed.

"I understand that Mrs McCabe and the families will be annoyed with me.

"However, if I want to get a comprehensive deal, I do not have an alternative." It was a request "put by one of the parties, the obvious party. It has been put in that way."

It was an issue "I would prefer not to deal with, but it exists. The only remaining prisoners in this category left on the island are those involved in the Jerry McCabe killing."

He added: "It is only on the basis of arms being put beyond use and new instructions from the IRA that I will contemplate consulting Mrs McCabe."

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.

Det Garda McCabe's widow, Mrs Ann McCabe, yesterday voiced her disappointment at the Taoiseach's comments on early release, given the written commitment she had from the Government that the men would not be released under any circumstances.

She was also disappointed that she heard about it on the news.

Mr Ahern expressed his regret at that. "It would not have been my preference to have had to answer it in the way I did yesterday but I must do that." The Taoiseach had responded to a question from Fine Gael leader Mr Enda Kenny, who had heard that there was a possibility of early release.

Mr Ahern said that "if it comes to a position where we are going to get a comprehensive deal, we would talk to the Garda Representative Association and the family. If it was not raised here yesterday, we would have done that anyway. However, I must answer truthfully when a question is asked in the House."

Mr Kenny raised the issue again yesterday and asked if there was any direct contact between the Government, Mrs McCabe and the family of Det Garda O'Sullivan before the Taoiseach clarified the issue in the Dáil.

Labour leader Mr Pat Rabbitte said: "It may well be that there is a greater prize on offer". But "our citizens draw the line at shooting a member of the Garda. It is a hugely important issue."

The Taoiseach said: "I know the difficulties and the sensitivities for the families. I would rather not have to deal with it, as Prime Minister Blair and others would have preferred not to let out all the people."

But he said that six years ago he had met more than 40 RUC widows and he remembered their trauma. Many of the women believed their husbands were killed in circumstances unrelated to the Troubles and "unrelated to people who had any semblance of being freedom fighters".

But he said that "the people who killed their husbands were allowed out. I know it is difficult because I had to sit with them for three-and-a-half hours. I understand that Mrs McCabe and the families will be annoyed with me."