Calls for an explanation of the acceptance of a change of plea in the Det Garda McCabe murder trial were led by Mr Maurice Manning, Fine Gael leader in the House. What had happened in Adare was murder; it was not manslaughter, he said. It was to be hoped that the fullest possible explanation would be given for the decision so that there could be no suspicion of any secret agenda.
Ms Mairin Quill (PD) agreed with Mr Manning about the emerging news. "Murder is murder and there must never be a set of circumstances where that fact can ever be open to negotiation or to compromise. This country has gone through a very rough period in the last 30 years, but we managed to maintain the basic institutions of this State intact. We must do that in the future."
Ms Mary Jackman (FG) said it was appalling that the family of Det Garda McCabe had to endure this latest trauma. It would affect the morale of Limerick gardai and also of Det Garda McCabe's colleague, Det Garda O'Sullivan. Mr John Dardis (PD), deputy Government leader in the House, endorsed Mr Manning's views. No one wanted to intrude into the independence of the DPP but he hoped the sentence imposed would reflect the gravity of the crime. Mr Shane Ross (Ind) said his initial reaction to the news of the change of plea acceptance had been one of great shock and worry about the signals it sent out. He hoped no outside pressures had had any effect on the outcome.
Mr Brendan Ryan, Labour spokesman on justice in the House, was profoundly concerned at the possibility of bringing the public perception of the law into disrepute because of what had happened in the Adare case.
The public was entitled to feel that matters were treated on their gravity, not on their political convenience.
There were youngsters who were in jail for life, quite correctly for murders that had been committed in more understandable circumstances, such as fights in the street. It was profoundly disturbing that there might be some other agenda involved in this instance.
The leader of the House, Mr Donie Cassidy, endorsing all that had been said, had been surprised at the announcement. He would pass on the concerns of members to the Minister for Justice.