British govt under fire over bomber's release
The British government was accused tonight of playing fast and loose with public safety after disclosed that IRA bomber Sean Kelly’s was recently released from prison without any consultation with the police.
Democratic Unionist MEP Jim Allister accused Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain of taking a blatantly political decision when he freed Kelly last month.
The north Belfast republican, who was jailed for carrying out the 1993 Shankill Road fish shop bomb which killed nine civilians and his accomplice Thomas Begley, was originally freed in 2000 under the Good Friday Agreement.
However, in June his early release licence was revoked by Mr Hain and he was returned to jail because of involvement in unspecified terrorist activity.
Within weeks, unionists were outraged when Kelly was released from Maghaberry Prison in Co Antrim on the eve of an IRA statement declaring an end to its armed campaign.
Mr Allister confirmed today: “In a response to my representations to the Secretary of State over his decision to release Sean Kelly, Lord Rooker (replying on Hain’s behalf as the SOS is on holiday) has confirmed that Kelly was released without consulting the PSNI or taking their advice.
“Considering that Kelly was detained because he was believed to be “a danger to others if he were at liberty“, I am astounded that a decision was reached on a matter so entwined with the public’s safety without any consultation with the police.
“To me this confirms the brazenly political nature of Hain’s decision and the fact that the demand of the IRA Army Council meant more to him than any possible police view.
“Clearly, Kelly could not have been detained without consultation with the police, but he was granted political release without even the façade of seeking a police view.
“This is a government clearly prepared to play fast and loose with public safety all in the interests of serving a greater political gameplan. This is the politics of deals, not honour.”
Sinn Féin welcomed Mr Kelly’s release last month, insisting he should never have been jailed in the first place.
