Revealed: Killeen in IRA bomb man plea
Sunday January 28 2007
EXCLUSIVE
THE Sunday Independent can today reveal the full extent of Minister Tony Killeen's pleas to the Department of Justice on behalf of convicted murderers, paedophiles and other criminals.
Among the representations he made was one - not previously disclosed - on behalf of a convicted dissident republican terrorist who was caught trying to bring a 1,300lb bomb into Northern Ireland.
He also wrote to the Department of Justice on behalf of a drug dealer, two killers, robbers, violent assailants and a drink driver.
These latest revelations are in addition to his representations calling for the release of a murderer and a paedophile.
This latest disclosure will add to the mounting pressure on the junior minister who was yesterday frantically trying to save his political career by organising a meeting with Nora Lynch, the mother of murder victim Robert Lynch.
Mr Killeen survived calls for his resignation from the mother of this murder victim last week when he was backed
ANALYSIS
by the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern. However, the full dossier of prisoner representations disclosed today will renew the controversy.
The dossier shows that the Clare TD's office sent at least 17 letters in Mr Killeen's name on behalf of nine prisoners - far more than any of his constituency colleagues.
The news of Mr Killeen's efforts to secure a transfer for the notorious dissident republican terrorist, Michael Hegarty, is likely to prove most contentious.
The Continuity IRA leader from Clare was jailed in 1997 after he was caught attempting to transport a 1,300lb bomb into Northern Ireland. A former Provisional IRA member and Ard Comhairle member of Republican Sinn Fein, he was regarded by gardai as one of key leaders of the dissident republican faction trying to destroy the peace process.
Mr Killeen confirmed last night that his office made representations to have Hegarty transferred out of the high-security Portlaoise prison on medical grounds in 2002. He said he had been contacted by Monsignor Denis Faul and "people who were trying to bring the remaining groups into the peace process".
"He was in very bad health and he did receive medical attention," he said yesterday.
The other criminals whom Mr Killeen assisted were:
* A convicted drink driver who was seeking temporary release to visit his ill wife.
* A prisoner in Spike Island who was seeking transfer to Limerick Prison.
* A prisoner serving three years for robbery and public mischief, who also had a conviction for a sexual offence, who was seeking a transfer.
* Two men serving four years for manslaughter seeking a prison transfer.
* A man serving three years for drug dealing, seeking temporary release on the grounds that his mother was ill.
* A prisoner serving six years for assault causing harm seeking transfer to an open prison.
* A prisoner convicted of possession of an offensive weapon and assault seeking a transfer on grounds that his life was "in danger" because he was related to a feuding Limerick family.
The representations are in addition to those made for the early release of child abuser Joseph Nugent on age grounds in 2005 and four letters asking for murderer Chris Cooney to be released. Most letters were signed on his behalf by Mr Killeen's constituency organiser, Councillor Pat Daly, and another office worker, Michelle Scanlan. One letter - sent on behalf of Cooney - is signed 'Tony'.
Mr Killeen this weekend insisted that this signature was a stamp.
He said it was his policy for several years not to request early release for prisoners, but to consider making representations for transfers and temporary release on humanitarian and health grounds. He said the letters requesting early release for two prisoners were sent by his staff without his approval.
"I have been able to establish that policy was followed in relation to all of the representations except in cases relating to two cases where a prisoner's release was sought," he said yesterday.
"In view of what Mrs Lynch said, I will not be making any more representations on behalf of prisoners."
He revealed that he was trying to make contact with Nora Lynch, the mother of murder victim Robert, who told RTE yesterday she wanted to meet him face to face. Mrs Lynch called on Mr Killeen to resign last week after his interventions on behalf of her son's killer emerged. Robert Lynch, 22, was stabbed to death by Cooney in an Ennis bar.
