McGeough may serve 2 years
Editorial Department • Published 7 Apr 2011 09:30
A Fermanagh and South Tyrone Assembly election candidate convicted of IRA membership and attempting to murder a part-time UDR soldier has been jailed for 20 years.
However, under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement is likely that Gerry McGeough will only serve two years behind bars before being given early release.
The republican, one-time teacher and wannabe politician appeared in Belfast Crown Court via videolink from Maghabarry Prison and sat impassively on screen with his arms folded as Mr. Justice Stephens delivered his sentence.
The judge told McGeough, who has expressed no remorse for shooting Samuel John Brush in June 1981: "You perceive yourself to be a leader though there is an element in that leadership of narcissistic disdain for others, including disdain for your fellow recruits to the IRA. "You elevated your political opinions and views over democracy, the rule of law, the existence and bodily integrity of Mr. Brush," he said.
Mr. Brush, a postman, was ambushed as he delivered a letter to a remote farmhouse near Aughnacloy.
Mr. Justice Stephens said it was only because of Mr. Brush's "enormous personal reserves of courage" that McGeough's murderous attack was thwarted.
In imposing the 20-year jail term, the judge told McGeough there must be a clear message that no matter how much time elapses and no matter what changes occur in a terrorist's way of life a fitting punishment will be imposed for committing such offences when the culprits are brought to justice.
Speaking outside the court as the funeral was taking place of Constable Ronan Kerr, murdered by terrorists, Mr. Brush said: "I think that the deterrent part of the sentence is very, very necessary to prevent other people from getting involved.
"I think in all honesty you have got to make sure that the message goes out loud and clear to people who would consider getting involved in terrorism that sooner or later they are going to have to pay the price - I think this has shown that you cannot escape justice forever," he added.
Following a seven month trial last year McGeough, from the Carrycastle Road, Gortmerron, Dungannon, was convicted of attempting to murder Mr. Brush in June 1981.
He was also convicted of possessing the two guns used in the attack and on two counts of being a member of the IRA on dates between January 1975 and June 1981.
During the trial the court heard that Mr. Brush was shot and wounded by two gunmen after delivering a letter but that his life was saved by the body armour he wore under his postman's uniform.
He pulled his personal protection revolver out and shot one of the terrorists before getting into his post van and speeding off.
The judge heard that a wounded man calling himself Gerry McGeough was admitted to Monaghan Hospital soon afterwards and was flown by helicopter to a Dublin Hospital where he underwent life-saving surgery and had the bullet, and his spleen, removed.
However, when the gunman was transferred back to Monaghan Hospital, despite being under armed guard, he managed to escape among a crowd of visitors, later turning up in Sweden where he unsuccessfully applied for asylum.
McGeough was on-the-run from then until he was eventually arrested in 2007 as he left a polling station in Omagh where he was standing for election.
He said there were no mitigating features about the offences themselves but that in McGeough's personal life, there was evidence that he was committed to the peace process, had done cross-community work and did not pose a risk of harm to the public or of committing further offences.
Mr. Justice Stephens told the court he had read numerous personal references about McGeough, particularly one from Sinn Fein MP, MLA and Minister for Agriculture Michelle Gildernew, written in 2007 where she stated her "firm view that you represent no threat whatsoever to the ongoing peaceful situation".
However, he added that McGeough's attack had had significant life changing effects for his victim and the two bullets which wounded him in the chest and shoulder had left permanent nerve and lung damage and his chest "a real mess". He said Mr. Brush continued to suffer from the psychological effects of the attack.
"There has been no end to them and he cannot see an end," the judge told McGeough.
This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 07 Apr 11
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