THE mother of a North Yorkshire-based soldier killed by the IRA has called for a review of the early release of convicted murders under the Good Friday Agreement.

Rita Restorick spoke out after her son's murderer, Bernard McGinn, was yesterday sentenced to three life sentences. He is set to serve just 16 months before being released under the Good Friday agreement.

Mrs Restorick, whose son, Stephen, had been stationed at Topcliffe, near Thirsk, said: "I feel justice has been done. But at the same time we have the problem of early releases.

"They (murderers) will be released in just over a year's time and I think, considering the seriousness of the crime and also the fact that Bertie Ahern (the Irish Prime Minister) has said the murderers of a Garda will not be eligible for early release, I believe the same consideration should be given for this case."

Lance Bombardier Stephen Restorick, 23, was the last British soldier to be killed in Ulster.

He was shot last February while manning a checkpoint at Bessbrook, County Armagh, where he was serving as a member of the 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery.

McGinn, 41, from County Monaghan in the Irish Republic, laughed as he was sentenced at Belfast Crown Court yesterday for the murders of three soldiers during a 20-year reign of terror in South Armagh.

McGinn was in court with three co-accused, Michael Caraher, 31, Martin Mines, 30, and James McArdle, 29.

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