BY MARK MCKELVEY

SINCE the Strabane Chronicle's exclusive revelation last week that convicted Castlederg rapist Eamon Foley (47) is set for an early release, shock-waves have reverberated throughout the community.

Local politicians spoke of their utter disgust that a man who was found guilty of raping a 91-year-old Castlederg pensioner, Mary-Anne McLaughlin – who then died in hospital four weeks after her ordeal – could be soon walking the streets after serving less than half of his 16-year sentence. Ulster Unionist vice-chairman of Strabane District Council, Derek Hussey, has questioned the wisdom of Foley's pending early release. He is calling on the public to contact their local elected representatives and urge support for the removal of the automatic 50% remission scheme operating in the North that is responsible for this early release.

The UUP Derg councillor said, "This man has shown no remorse for this despicable rape. During his time in prison Foley refused all treatment offered to sex offenders. He also behaved in a threatening way to staff trying to assess him. His 'reward' - early release! Is it any wonder that I pose the question, Is the law an ass?

RISK

"In 1999, the opinion of his trial Judge was that it was 'clear that the perpetrator of this assault remains a significant risk to women'.

"In considering his release the opinion of his assessment panel stated that he is a High Risk offender and continues to present a danger to any female, child or adult. His offending is 'impulsive and opportunistic'.

"I have no doubt in my mind that Eamon Foley represents a serious threat to all within our community and given his history I would be questioning his release even if he had served his full prison sentence."

Speaking at the weekend, West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty also expressed outrage at the news that a convicted rapist could be released back into the local community within weeks despite the assessment that he poses a serious risk.

The Sinn Féin MP expressed his belief that there is even less confidence in how the authorities deal with the management of dangerous sex offenders, stressing that the British direct rule Ministers, who are responsible for these issues ,"have failed this community".

"There is an objective of devolving policing and justice powers to the Assembly and I think that many people will today be demanding that we have local Ministers in charge of responding to what our people are saying to us and the issues affecting our community rather than semi-detached British ministers," said Mr Doherty.

West Tyrone DUP MLA Tom Buchanan has described this decision as "ludicrous" that he could be allowed to once again reside in the Castlederg locality and has called upon the relevant authorities to rethink their decision.

"The most serious offenders in society such as Foley, deserve to serve their sentence in full," he said.

Mr Buchanan will be joined in bringing this case to the Secretary of State Shaun Woodward and the Policing Board by Omagh Town SDLP Cllr Jo Deehan.

She said, "I will certainly be contacting him regarding this case. I am shocked, deeply concerned about this decision.

"I believe that we do have a role to play in giving civic leadership and this is a matter that has given rise to the greatest concern to women and children in the area."