The Prison Service has ordered a review of the visiting arrangements for the killers of Det Garda Jerry McCabe.
An investigation into the circumstances surrounding a photograph of four Sinn Féin TDs with the IRA men convicted of the killing is under way. The Prison Service last night apologised for any distress the picture had caused.
In a statement, it said there had been a clear breach of rules at Castlerea Prison. Det Garda McCabe's family said they were shocked and distressed by the photograph.
The director general of the prison service, Mr Sean Aylward, said he was satisfied from initial inquiries that there had been a clear breach of prison rules. The photograph, which was published in the Sinn Féin newspaper, An Phoblacht, was taken inside the prison on August 16th.
The four Sinn Féin TDs are smiling as they pose beside the four IRA men who killed the detective garda as he protected a cash delivery in Limerick in 1996. Other republican prisoners are also in the photograph.
TDs Mr Caoimghín Ó Caoláin, Mr Sean Crowe, Mr Aengus Ó Snodaigh and Mr Martin Ferris are pictured beside Kevin Walsh, who shot dead Det Garda McCabe. Also in the picture are fellow IRA men convicted of the killing, Pearse McAuley, Jeremiah Sheehy and Michael O'Neill.
In a statement the Prison Service said the publication of the photograph taken in Castlerea was "a cause for concern". "The director general is satisfied from initial enquiries that there has been a clear breach of the prison rules in force at Castlerea.
"He has asked the Governor of Castlerea Prison for a full report into the circumstances in which this breach took place." Meanwhile, the director general has instigated an immediate review of the visiting arrangements for the prisoners concerned to ensure full compliance with the governor's orders.
"The Irish Prison Service regrets any distress caused by the publication of this photograph."
Speaking on RTÉ, Mr Ferris defended the TDs' visit to the prisoners. "The purpose of the visit was to update them on the peace process, particularly in relation to where the talks situation is at this point in time.
"The photograph appeared in An Phoblacht two weeks ago along with a report on the meeting and so forth. An Phoblacht is a republican newspaper, bought and read by republicans, and that was the purpose of the photograph appearing there." He said he had "no control" over wherever else it was published. He did not believe prison rules had been breached. He said he had the "utmost sympathy" for the widow of Det Garda McCabe. Every effort had been made to lessen the hurt the family had suffered, Mr Ferris added.
The Progressive Democrats have strongly criticised the publication of the photograph. Senator John Minihan expressed his "shock and anger" and called for an immediate inquiry into the matter.
"The latest stunt by Sinn Féin is an affront to democracy and is grossly insulting and distressing for the family of the late Jerry McCabe," he said.
"This garda was gunned down in the line of duty and it is utterly reprehensible that Sinn Féin should seek to associate with and endorse his killers."