By Conor Sharkey

THE man convicted of the brutal rape of a Castlederg pensioner will almost certainly walk free from prison today, Thursday, having served just half his sentence.

Eamon Foley (48), was found guilty of raping 91-year-old Mary-Anne McLaughlin in her home on the outskirts of Castlederg in 1999.

The pensioner died shortly after the attack.

Foley was ordered to serve 16 years in jail for the heinous crime.

However under the government's controversial 50 percent remission rule, it is likely Foley will be freed this morning.

He appeared before Derry Magistrate's Court on Thursday last, to answer a charge of breaching a Sex Offenders Protection Order.

The charge dates back to September, when he was released from Magilligan Prison but rearrested almost immediately for refusing to inform the authorities of where he intends to live.

On December 27 however, RM Barney McElholm ruled that Foley would no longer be bound by that condition but he would have to provide proof of his whereabouts within 72 hours of his release.

On Thursday, a bearded Foley appeared by video link from Maghaberry Prison to hear his legal representative Joe McCann explain to the court that the condition of providing an address prior to release had been lifted.

Asked whether his client had provided an address, Mr McCann admitted that his client had been unable to secure accommodation.

At that hearing, the solicitor said that it was unlikely his client would be able to do so immediately.

The solicitor added however, that by next Thursday (today) Foley would effectively have served eight years in prison, and regardless of the attitude of the Public Prosecution Service, he would be free to make a bail application.

Foley will appear before Derry Magistrates Court this morning, again by video link.