I have instigated an independent review of this case. It requires and deserves a specific response because of the very serious consequences which arose from the granting of temporary release in this case and the very understandable level of public concern it has generated. For that reason, in December last, I decided to have all aspects of the handling of the case reviewed.
The review is being undertaken by Mr. John Olden, the retired former Secretary of Roinn na Gaeltachta, who has practical prior experience of Irish prisons administration and is a senior serving member of the Council of Europe committee for the prevention of torture, inhumane and degrading treatment of persons in custody. I am informed that Mr. Olden's review is well under way but that he is not in a position to say when it will be finalised. Given the seriousness of the matter Mr. Olden should be given adequate time to examine all aspects of the case.
The terms of reference for the review by Mr. Olden are as follows: in light of the offender's conviction on 5 December 2000 for a second murder committed on 14 February while on temporary release from Castlerea Prison – (i) to review and report on the management of his sentences up to that time; (ii) specifically to report on the procedures followed and their adequacy leading to granting-revocation of periods of temporary release to this prisoner; and (iii) to make any observations and recommendations considered appropriate.
I propose to make the results of Mr. Olden's review available to the House and to the family of the victim. I will consider carefully any recommendations emerging from the review. Until Mr. Olden's review is completed, it would not be appropriate to comment further on the detailed management of this case.
However, I again remind the House that temporary release or parole is a feature of prison systems world wide and is an important vehicle for re-integrating into the community in a planned and controlled way, offenders often including those serving life sentences for murder. There is, undoubtedly, a large element of risk in this which requires careful consideration and the paramount concern is the safety of the public. If we were to adopt an entirely risk free approach to the management of life sentences, then no life sentenced prisoner would ever be released and such an approach would neither be right, in terms of effective sentence management, nor would it find favour with most Members in this House.