MARTIN MCGUINNESS has rejected claims he visited a man who was later convicted of the killing of Detective Jerry McCabe while that man was in hiding.
The family of the late detective called on presidential candidate McGuinness to provide information on his alleged relationship with one of the men convicted of killing the garda 15 years ago.
McCabe was shot dead during a failed post office raid in Adare, Co Limerick, on 7 June 1996. His colleague Ben O’Sullivan was seriously injured in the incident. The late detective was posthumously awarded the Scott Medal for bravery in 2000.
Four men pleaded guilty to his manslaughter: Jeremiah Sheehy of Rathkeale, Co Limerick, Michael O’Neill of Patrickswell, Co Limerick, Kevin Walsh, also of Patrickswell, and Pearse McAuley of Strabane. All four have since been released from prison.
In a statement sent to the Limerick Leader, McCabe’s family called on McGuinness to release details of any contact he had with Walsh following McCabe’s killing. They said he “owes every voter the truth” and they believe his actions and statements “do not make him a suitable candidate for the office of President of Ireland”.
McGuinness responded with a statement today saying he totally rejects the claims, which he says are without foundation.
“The killing of Garda McCabe was unjustifiable. I have condemned it unreservedly. A grave wrong was done to the McCabe family and the IRA have acknowledged that and apologised for it,” he said.
McGuinness said he has “never and would never stand over attacks on members of the defence forces or the gardaí”. He said that “for the record”, he did not meet Walsh following the garda’s death.
He also denied knowing the whereabouts of other people sought in connection with the garda’s death in 1996.
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