Macarthur release discussed with families

The Minister for State at the Department of Justice, Mr Willie O'Dea, has said he consulted the families of the victims of convicted murderer Malcolm Macarthur and the killer's mother before deciding to deny his release.to free him after consultations

Mr O'Dea was speaking after he rejected a parole board recommendation for Macarthur, who has served 22 years in prison, to be placed on a temporary release programme.

Macarthur was convicted of the murder of nurse Bridie Gargan in Dublin's Phoenix Park in 1982. He was also charged with murdering Offaly farmer, Mr Donal Dunne, but the DPP decided not to go ahead with the prosecution when Macarthur pleaded guilty to the murder of the nurse.

Mr O'Dea said he spoke to members of both families last week before coming to his decision.

"We would always consult the families and other interested parties in the matter, including the man's mother, who I also consulted."

It is understood that Macarthur's elderly mother was very worried at the prospect of his release, because he had allegedly made threats to kill her on a number of previous occasions.

While he said he was unable to comment on the exact reasons for the refusal, Mr O'Dea said it was his own independent decision and was not based on any legal advice.

"I made the decision and it was my own decision. It was not made on the advice of the Attorney General or other legal adviser."

Mr O'Dea said he took the decision on behalf of the Minister for Justice who has exempted himself from dealing with the case having been part of Macarthur's defence team at his trial in 1983.

"The Minister for Justice does not discuss the decisions made in relation to the parole board and I don't think I should depart from that practice," Mr O'Dea said.

If the recommendation had been accepted the 58-year-old, who is one of the State's longest-serving prisoners, would eventually have been eligible for full release under the supervision of the probation service.

Macarthur is to stay detained at Shelton Abbey open prison in Co Wicklow where he was transferred from St Patrick's training unit in Mountjoy, Dublin, in May last year.

Long-term prisoners are generally placed at the minimum security facility in preparation for release. They usually get occasional accompanied trips out of prison, followed by unaccompanied day release - sometimes involving work outside the prison.

Macarthur has to date not been involved in any pre-release activities. A spokesman for the prison services said his case would be reviewed this Christmas.

Macarthur bludgeoned Ms Gargan to death after he came across her sunbathing in the Phoenix Park in July 1982.

Three days later he is believed to have murdered Mr Dunne. It is understood he rang the farmer at his home in Tullamore claiming to be interested in buying a gun the farmer had advertised in a newspaper.

When Mr Dunne handed him the gun to examine it, Macarthur shot him dead. He then stole his car and drove it back to Dublin.

Macarthur, a well-known socialite, was eventually arrested in the Dalkey apartment of the then attorney general, Mr Patrick Connolly. Mr Connolly subsequently resigned.