There have been mixed reactions to the plea change at the McCabe trial today. The Labour Party's Equality and Law Reform spokeswoman, Jan O'Sullivan has said the entire circumstances surrounding the acceptance by the State of the guilty pleas to manslaughter charges in the Jerry McCabe murder trial give grounds for serious public concern. She said the real danger was that others, who might face charges in the future for similar offences, may conclude that intimidation pays.
Ms. O'Sullivan who represents the constituency of East Limerick where the McCabe family lives, said what took place in Adare on the morning Detective McCabe was killed was murder, not manslaughter. She has called on the Gardaí to make a full statement on the allegations of the intimidation of witnesses in the case. She has also called on the Director of Public Prosecutions to set out in general terms the reasons why the charges in the case were reduced.
Earlier today, the acting general secretary of the Garda Representative Association, PJ Stone, broadly welcomed the outcome. Mr. Stone said that the result proved the capacity of the Gardaí to investigate serious crime, although he added he was satisfied that there would have been a verdict of guilty to murder.
However, at the headquarters of the Garda Representative association this afternoon, the phones were hopping as angry Gardaí phoned in to voice their wrath about the reduction in the charges against those involved in the death of Gerry McCabe. The association's president John Healy said he and other Gardaí were incensed. They said that as far as they were concerned, what happened on the day of Gerry McCabe's death was murder.
At Leinster House there was further criticism, both from the opposition and from government backbenchers. Former Justice Minister Des O'Malley said that he was dismayed and mystified. He said that to describe what happened in Adare as anything less than murder was a travesty. Earlier today, Mr. O'Malley said that the case had been marked by widespread intimidation. Another former Justice Minister and fellow Limerick TD Michael Noonan also criticised the change of plea. Mr. Noonan said he believed that a deal had been done.
Fine Gael's Justice Spokesperson Jim Higgins voiced concern that the lesser charges could have wider significance in the context of the Good Friday Agreement. The Government had said that anyone convicted of the murder of Gerry McCabe would not benefit from the early release programme. However, Mr. Higgins pointed out that if the accused were convicted of manslaughter, they could potentially be released within two years in accordance with the Good Friday Agreement.
The Taoiseach said he understood that there might be public disquiet about the decision, but he stressed that the judiciary is independent. He was speaking after meeting the Northern Secretary, Mo Mowlam. Pat Carney, brother-in-law of the late Detective, said that the family were happy that the Gardaí in Limerick have brought the case to a successful conclusion.
