BY PAUL McELWEE

THE niece of Mary-Ann McCafferty has hit out at the early release of Eamon Foley who viciously attacked her aunt.

Jean McCafferty of Castlederg has spoken of her shock when she first heard about the impending release. Eamon Foley was jailed for the attack in 2001 and is due to be released soon, after only serving half of his 16-year sentence.

"The first I had heard of his release was in the Herald. Up until then, I did not know it had happened.

"In 2001, Eamon Foley was jailed for 16 years, but he didn't serve it. We thought that the 50% remand only applied to political prisoners and not to prisoners who have committed serious crimes.

"We are absolutely terrified that he's out and it's an injustice to my aunt and her family."

Mrs McCafferty has also expressed her anger at the conditions which have been placed on Eamon Foley in order to secure his release.

"Eamon Foley is a dangerous man who is coming out with the same mindset he entered prison with.

"He is a danger to the public, to women and children everywhere. Even though the risk assessment committee have placed certain restrictions on him, he has been quoted as saying that he doesn't even recognise them, so effectively there are no restrictions."

"The public transport restriction will not make the slightest bit of difference.

"I don't think it can be monitored. It's not physically possible to watch anyone twenty four hours a day. I can't see how such a restriction can be implemented, so he is effectively free to go wherever he likes."

Michael Harron, husband of murdered Strabane woman Attracta Harron, has also spoken of his dismay at the release. Mrs Harron was murdered by Trevor Hamilton of Sion Mills. Hamilton is currently serving a life sentence for the murder .

"The man is a threat to society and he is being let loose. I discussed the threat to women last week on Radio Foyle with Dr Deeney and Noelle O'Donnell.

"This man is a threat to women and children. Another question that needs to be answered is where is he going to live? Will he be in Strabane, where he has lived before or will be going back to Castlederg?

"People would love to know where he's going and what community is going to have to suffer him have said everything already that needs to be said.

"I said it when Trevor Hamilton was convicted also. The Foley case doesn't directly affect us."