14 December 2000

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GRA accused of misrepresenting facts on parole releases

Sinn Fein has accused the Garda Representative Association (GRA) of fabrication in relation to their comments in connection with the release on compassionate parole of two republican prisoners over the last month.

Sinn Fein spokesperson Gerry Kelly MLA said:

``It is clear that this has been done as part of a campaign by the GRA to try and prevent the release of the Castlerea Five.

``This commotion caused by the GRA has little to do with how compassionate parole is exercised but about who receives it as both Jeremiah Sheehy and Pearse McAuley honoured the terms of their compassionate parole.  

``The GRA is misrepresenting the facts in an attempt to attack Sinn Fein's irrefutable case that the republican prisoners held in Castlerea are entitled to release under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.  Any attempt to check out this story quickly shows that much of it is factually incorrect.

``These prisoners should have been released by now and Sinn Fein will continue to campaign for their immediate release.''  

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Tel: +353-1-8726100 and +353-1-8726839   ·   Fax +353-1-8733074
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