A court has heard that imposing a custodial sentence on a former British soldier, found guilty of killing a man in Co Tyrone more than 30 years ago, would be "unjust and unfair". In November, 53 year old David Jonathan Holden, was convicted of the manslaughter of Aidan McAnespie in February 1988.
He was the first veteran to be found guilty of a historical offence in Northern Ireland since the Good Friday Agreement was established in 1998. Mr Holden was due to be sentenced in Belfast today, but the court was told there were a number of issues that needed to be considered.
Instead, the sentence will be handed down next Thursday. Meanwhile, the early release scheme clause within the Good Friday Agreement means the defendant will only serve two years in prison regardless of the additional length of any sentence handed down.
Speaking to Northern Sound, Fianna Fail TD for Cavan and Monaghan, Deputy Brendan Smith, said that even though it was a clause that peace makers found "hard to swallow" it was necessary for it to be included in the Good Friday Agreement 25 years ago.
He pointed out that it was the only way to encourage paramilitary organisations to end their violent campaigns. Deputy Smith highlighted how the perpetrators of heinous crimes were released early under the scheme and victims and families found it difficult to deal with that at the time.
He added that hard decisions had to be made in 1998 to bring about peace on the island of Ireland and the early release scheme was particularly difficult for those involved in the negotiations. "It was difficult for families who saw the perpetrators of crime being released; for families who lost a loved one, saw loved ones injured or a family member who lost their life.
"That has been very, very, difficult but we do know the value of the Good Friday Agreement. Thank God for all of this island and indeed for our neighbours in Britain as well because the Good Friday Agreement has heralded an era of peace on our islands," Deputy Smith said.
