Michael McKevitt loses early release bid over terrorism sentence

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Michael McKevitt lost his High Court action for early release from a sentence for directing terrorism, reported on 9 December 2014. The court found the Minister for Justice could refuse enhanced remission despite McKevitt’s prison courses and other structured activities.

The judgment said participation in authorised activities did not automatically show a reduced risk of reoffending. Garda submissions and other information were among the material the Minister was entitled to consider, and the court found no basis to interfere with her decision.

McKevitt was serving a 20-year sentence, imposed in 2003 and backdated to 2001, for directing terrorism and membership of the Real IRA. His normal remission release date was reported as July 2016.