27th March 2003

---

Castlerea Five should be released

Kerry North TD Martin Ferris has expressed disappointment that Michael O'Neill and John Quinn were not released this morning but welcomed the fact that the court recognised that the men were qualifying prisoners under the Good Friday Agreement. Deputy Ferris said that `The onus is now back on the Minister to honour his commitments under the Agreement and release the men.'' Deputy Ferris said:

``It is disappointing that the men were not released this morning but I welcome the fact that the court acknowledged that the men qualify for release under the Agreement. The onus is now back on the Minister. He should honour his commitments under the Agreement and release the men.

``The Good Friday Agreement committed both the British and Irish governments to releasing all qualifying prisoners within two years. That was 1998. It is now 2003.   ``I am conscious of the pain and upset of the McCabe family but the Castlerea prisoners qualify under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement and there is an obligation on the government to honour their commitments and release them.'' ENDS

---

Sinn Fein Press Office, 44 Parnell Square, Dublin 1
Tel: +353-1-8726100 and +353-1-8726839   ·   Fax +353-1-8733074
E-mail: sfpress@eircom.net   ·   Website: http://www.sinnfein.org

---

Sinn Fein   ·   Sinn Fein Documents

---