The national executive of the GRA has said claims that the IRA carried out the multi-million euro bank robbery in Belfast last month was further proof that the killers of Det Garda Jerry McCabe should not be released under any circumstances.
Members of the national executive met yesterday in Adare, Co Limerick, where their former colleague was killed in a botched IRA post office raid in June 1996.
His widow, Mrs Ann McCabe, and son John attended yesterday's meeting which marked the first time that 28 members of the national executive met outside Dublin.
The meeting was organised to discuss a date for a public demonstration in opposition to any possible early release of the killers of Det Garda McCabe.
Local reports had suggested that the detective's widow might lead the demonstration. However, Mrs McCabe made no comment after yesterday's meeting at the Woodlands Hotel in Adare.
In a statement issued after the meeting by the GRA, the group's General Secretary, PJ Stone, said revelations that the IRA was behind last month's £26.5 million bank robbery indicates the true nature of the IRA, and as a result the IRA should not be given special concessions in respect of early release.
"We are still committed to the principle that these criminals and murderers remain behind bars.Further to that, we believe the statement by the PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde indicates the true nature of the IRA and its cohorts and they should not be given any further special concessions in respect of early release."
Mr Stone said the GRA had received assurance by the government that they would be advised if the situation in respect of the killers' release alters.
Meanwhile, GRA president Mr Dermot O'Donnell said yesterday that a public protest against any early release of Det Garda McCabe's killers was not an issue for the moment. However, the GRA had reached a "level of preparedness" regarding a protest, he added.