Northern Ireland Office

Sean Kelly has been arrested and returned to prison today following the suspension of his licence by Secretary of State, Peter Hain.

Mr Hain said: “I am satisfied that Sean Kelly has become re-involved in terrorism and is a danger to others and while he is at liberty, is likely to commit further offences.

“On the basis of security information available to me, I have decided to return Sean Kelly to prison with immediate effect.  

“Like my predecessors, I will not hesitate to act on such advice to suspend the licence of any prisoner who was released from prison under the early release scheme (the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998) introduced following the signing of the Good-Friday Agreement if they present a risk to the safety of others.

“My priority is public safety and the interests of the whole community and I cannot permit freedom to an individual intent on abusing the opportunity they have been given to benefit from the early release scheme. I am satisfied that this particular individual has breached the terms of his licence and that it is appropriate for me to suspend his licence.

“It will be now for the independent Sentence Review Commissioners to consider Mr Kelly’s case and decide whether to revoke his licence.”

Notes to Editors

Kelly was released early from prison in July 2000 following successful application to the Sentence Review Commissioners for accelerated release under the provisions of the NI (Sentences) Act 1998. Life sentence prisoners in this category are released on licence on strict conditions that they should not:

• support a specified organisation
• become concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism connected with the affairs of Northern Ireland, or
• become a danger to the public.