I won’t inform on IRA men, says Ferris
By Donal Hickey and Paul O’Brien
08 June 2006
KERRY North Sinn Féin TD Martin Ferris yesterday insisted he would not inform on any IRA members at large and wanted for the killing of Detective Garda Jerry McCabe in Adare 10 years ago.
The TD was contacted by the garda’s widow, Ann McCabe, who sought his assistance in obtaining information about her husband’s death. He said he had no knowledge of the events surrounding the botched post office robbery which claimed the garda’s life.
Mr Ferris said he was once victim to an informer and could not be disloyal to the IRA. He also refused to condemn the killing.
“I have been an IRA volunteer in my lifetime … I would never betray that loyalty to an organisation I once belonged to.”
Mr Ferris was castigated by Defence Minister Willie O’Dea, who represents the Limerick East constituency.
“Martin Ferris has given us the Sinn Féin definition of justice. He will not condemn the cold-blooded killing of Det Sgt Jerry McCabe and he will not encourage anyone with information about the killing to give information to the gardaí,” the minister said. “Sinn Féin has forfeited the right to talk about justice.”
Mr Ferris did say the pain of the McCabe family came across in a documentary on RTÉ last Tuesday.
He said it was an awful wrong inflicted on the McCabe family but, while he disapproved of the killing, he would not condemn an IRA operation.
“Nothing I can say, or anyone else can say, can lessen their pain or hurt,” he told Radio Kerry.
Mr Ferris also admitted he was a friend of Kevin Walsh, one of those convicted in relation to Adare killing.
The Special Criminal Court, in 1999, sentenced four men to jail terms from 11 to 14 years for the manslaughter of the Kerry-born garda. The case is not closed.
