Danny Kennedy, Ulster Unionist MLA for Newry & Armagh has stated that Gerry Kelly owes the O`Connor family an explanation following revelations that he delivered a ‘letter of comfort’ to a suspect in the murder inquiry of their son, Gareth O’Connor, who was killed in 2003.
Mr Kennedy said:
“This is another damaging revelation around a corrupt scheme arranged between the Government and Sinn Fein. It fuels a perception of a two tier system of justice in operation whereby those in the know with Sinn Fein have been able to get their hands on letters of comfort which in some cases have had the effect of being a get out of jail free card. I am astounded to hear that a suspect in a murder case has not been interviewed due to him being in receipt of an OTR letter. This is not how the Criminal Justice system ought to operate.
“This murder involved the well used Provisional IRA tactic of disappearing the victim. And now we hear that an OTR letter was delivered by the postman called Gerry Kelly.
“Gerry Kelly is right at the centre of this and he must know exactly how this murder suspect came to be in possession of a letter. We need a full public explanation by Gerry Kelly and others within the republican movement about what went on here. Gerry Kelly owes that to the O`Connor family. How many other wanted men and women were handed letters of comfort by Sinn Fein politicians?
“Those responsible for bringing this scheme forward, including former Prime Minister Tony Blair, should be deeply ashamed of themselves.”