FORMER policeman Sandy Kelly is protesting to Prime Minister Tony Blair after the Government fuelled speculation that IRA killer Paul Magee could be freed within two years.

Sandy, who survived being shot four times by Magee, near Tadcaster, in 1992, but saw his Special Constable colleague Glenn Goodman murdered, said: "Magee is not a political prisoner. He is an out-and-out murderer. He wasn't tried for terrorism, but murder.

"He is guilty of a terrible murder and therefore he should serve his time. I am totally opposed to his early release."

And Sandy, of Bishopthorpe, said that after staying out of the limelight and trying to rebuild his life, he has now written to the Prime Minister to demand that Magee should serve the full sentence imposed by an Old Bailey judge in 1993.

"It's the first time in six years I have contacted the Government," he said, adding that developments in the last fortnight, culminating in Magee's transfer to an Irish prison from Full Sutton yesterday, had put back his own recovery from the shooting.

The Government's position came in a Parliamentary answer by Home Office Minister Joyce Quin to Ryedale MP John Greenway.

She said Magee would normally have served his full sentence after being repatriated to Ireland, but this was subject to the political agreement reached on Good Friday, "under which both the British and Irish Governments have undertaken to put in place mechanisms for the early release of qualifying prisoners."

Mr Greenway saw the strong implication that Magee would win release within two years, if the IRA agrees to peace, despite reassurances by Home Secretary Jack Straw earlier this year that Magee would serve his full sentence.

"It is quite clear to me that Magee will not serve his 30-year sentence, but will instead be released, which goes against what Jack Straw stated. It's absolutely ludicrous."

"Personally, I am absolutely appalled, and I know the people of North Yorkshire will be disgusted as well," he said,"No one wants to cause difficulty for those involved in the delicate arrangements for the peace agreement - it wouldn't make sense to jeopardise it.

"But, on the other hand, given that the IRA last week announced it has no intention to give up any of its weapons, even if the peace agreement goes ahead, the question should be what is being gained from considering or even promising terrorists, such as Magee, early release from prison?"

The Police Federation is also opposed to Magee's remission, as are Special Constable Goodman's parents Brian and Margaret, who were still angry today after being kept in the dark about yesterday's prison transfer.

The couple, from near Tadcaster, said they had been promised they would be told when the move took place.

Instead they say they heard the news on their car radio as they drove back from visiting their son's grave near Tadcaster.

"I am furious, this is the second time the Home Office have failed to tell us information. I cursed all the way home," said Margaret. "The least they could have done is told us, instead of all this secrecy. Words fail me."

The men were flown to Dublin's Baldonnel military airport in a specially-chartered aircraft, and taken on to Portlaoise, 50 miles from Dublin, in a high-speed convoy.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister and his predecessor John Major flew to Northern Ireland today for a unique joint effort to rally support for the Ulster peace agreement. Tony Blair and Mr Major, who played key roles in securing the agreement, were urging the electorate to give a huge "Yes" vote in the referendum on the Good Friday agreement.

In another development, the IRA has given its backing to Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams and his handling of the Northern Ireland peace process, while Ulster Unionist David Trimble claimed last night that Sinn Fein had promised the Irish Government a token de-commissioning of some IRA weapons.

See COMMENT: Release would be a betrayal

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