MOWLAM OPTIMISTIC AS PRISONERS ARE SET FREE
Mowlam optimistic as prisoners are set free
By JOHN DEVINE North Editor
NORTH Secretary Mo Mowlam yesterday described the future for Northern Ireland as being "as bright as it has been for many years" despite the Omagh atrocity.
Her comments came as, in a separate development, the first batch of loyalist and republican prisoners were released from jail under the terms of the Good Friday peace agreement.
Three loyalists and three republicans were freed from the Maze Prison, near Lisburn, Co Antrim. One non-aligned inmate, serving life for manslaughter, was released from Magilligan jail.
But last night republicans were accused of "triumphalism" after scenes of jubilation greeted the releases. Those opposed to the programme were angered by members of the republican pressure group Saoirse, who cheered as the IRA men emerged through the exit turnstiles of the Maze.
'ARROGANT'
"Does Saoirse have any idea of how distressing many victims and their families will find today's prisoner release, with their arrogant flag-waving triumphalism?" said Glyn Roberts of the human rights group, Families Against Intimidation and Terror.
Me demanded an apology and added: "Given the seriousness of their crimes, the early release of paramilitary prisoners should not be a cause for celebration for anyone, but rather something we have to reluctantly live with for the sake of the wider peace we all hope for."
The three men released from the IRA wings of the jail were: Sean Patrick McGuigan (28), from Belfast, who had served five years of a 12-year sentence for causing GBH during a paramilitary beating; Henry Louis McNally (54), from Dungannon, 10 years into a 22-year term for conspiracy to murder security forces with a Semtex culvert bomb; and Michael Gerard Magee (34) , from Antrim, halfway into a 20-year sentence for conspiracy to murder in the same plot as McNally.
They were greeted with embraces from relatives as well-wishers as they stepped outside.
Magee was the only prisoner to comment on his release - and then would only do so in Irish. He said: "It is excellent to be out on this historic day."
Earlier three loyalists from the Ulster Defence Association wing of the prison tried to dodge journalists outside the Maze as they were freed.
They were: Matthew McCormick (31) from the Shankill area of Belfast. He was six years into a 14-year term for conspiracy to murder; Daniel Annesley, halfway into a five-year sentence for blackmail; and Gary Hall (28), from Rathcoole, who had served six-and-a-half years of a 14-year sentence for the attempted murder of a Catholic man. Accompanied by supporters, they slipped past the pack and ran to cars, parked nearby, before speeding off.
The seventh prisoner to win an early release yesterday was Mark Bellringer (23), who had served three years of a seven-year term for the manslaughter of a Catholic man who was beaten to death in north Belfast.
More paramilitary prisoners will be freed next week.
By JOHN DEVINE North Editor
NORTH Secretary Mo Mowlam yesterday described the future for Northern Ireland as being "as bright as it has been for many years" despite the Omagh atrocity.
Her comments came as, in a separate development, the first batch of loyalist and republican prisoners were released from jail under the terms of the Good Friday peace agreement.
Three loyalists and three republicans were freed from the Maze Prison, near Lisburn, Co Antrim. One non-aligned inmate, serving life for manslaughter, was released from Magilligan jail.
But last night republicans were accused of "triumphalism" after scenes of jubilation greeted the releases. Those opposed to the programme were angered by members of the republican pressure group Saoirse, who cheered as the IRA men emerged through the exit turnstiles of the Maze.
'ARROGANT'
"Does Saoirse have any idea of how distressing many victims and their families will find today's prisoner release, with their arrogant flag-waving triumphalism?" said Glyn Roberts of the human rights group, Families Against Intimidation and Terror.
Me demanded an apology and added: "Given the seriousness of their crimes, the early release of paramilitary prisoners should not be a cause for celebration for anyone, but rather something we have to reluctantly live with for the sake of the wider peace we all hope for."
The three men released from the IRA wings of the jail were: Sean Patrick McGuigan (28), from Belfast, who had served five years of a 12-year sentence for causing GBH during a paramilitary beating; Henry Louis McNally (54), from Dungannon, 10 years into a 22-year term for conspiracy to murder security forces with a Semtex culvert bomb; and Michael Gerard Magee (34) , from Antrim, halfway into a 20-year sentence for conspiracy to murder in the same plot as McNally.
They were greeted with embraces from relatives as well-wishers as they stepped outside.
Magee was the only prisoner to comment on his release - and then would only do so in Irish. He said: "It is excellent to be out on this historic day."
Earlier three loyalists from the Ulster Defence Association wing of the prison tried to dodge journalists outside the Maze as they were freed.
They were: Matthew McCormick (31) from the Shankill area of Belfast. He was six years into a 14-year term for conspiracy to murder; Daniel Annesley, halfway into a five-year sentence for blackmail; and Gary Hall (28), from Rathcoole, who had served six-and-a-half years of a 14-year sentence for the attempted murder of a Catholic man. Accompanied by supporters, they slipped past the pack and ran to cars, parked nearby, before speeding off.
The seventh prisoner to win an early release yesterday was Mark Bellringer (23), who had served three years of a seven-year term for the manslaughter of a Catholic man who was beaten to death in north Belfast.
More paramilitary prisoners will be freed next week.
Further Information
Publisher: IRISH INDEPENDENT
Ref: II/151
Published Date: 12-Sep-98
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