Opinion divided over killer's release

Michael Stone following his release from the Maze prison

There has been a mixed reaction from politicians in Northern Ireland to the early release from prison of convicted loyalist killer Michael Stone.

Stone, who was jailed for six murders, including those of three mourners attending an IRA funeral at Milltown cemetery in west Belfast, was freed on licence from the Maze Prison on Monday.

The release, and those of other paramilitary prisoners later this week, is the most controversial part of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.

Sinn Fein assembly member Gerry Kelly, himself a former prisoner in the Maze, said people should not consider prisoner releases on an individual basis.

Speaking after visiting republican inmates in the Maze he said prisoners had to be released if the peace process was to move forward.

Michael Stone: Sentenced in 1989 to life imprisonment

"Those who are for the Good Friday Agreement will realise that in any situation of conflict, the combatants are actually a part of the resolution of that conflict, and will welcome the fact that political prisoners are now being released.

"We are moving into a situation of proper conflict resolution."

However, politicians opposed to the agreement have condemned what they claim is a "victory for terrorism".

Ian Paisley Junior of the Democratic Unionist Party, which is vehemently opposed to the agreement, said:

"These people are criminals. They committed the most heinous crimes in Northern Ireland. They have got out because of the most corrupt political bargain. It's wrong for them to get out.

"Nothing can convince me that what we're doing today in Northern Ireland is good for democracy, good for justice or good for peace."

Anti-agreement Ulster Unionist Peter Weir said Stone's release, and those of other paramilitary prisoners, would be greeted with revulsion.

"This week's events mark a week of shame for the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland," he said.

Jeffrey Donaldson: "Relatives felt frustrated"

Earlier, Ulster Unionist MP Jeffrey Donaldson said relatives of victims killed or maimed by paramilitaries felt deeply frustrated because violence was continuing and there had been no decommissioning of illegal weapons.

However, Seamus Close of the cross-community Alliance Party said he hoped the final phase of releases from the Maze Prison would signal a new era for Northern Ireland.

He said he recognised what was happening was very difficult for victims' families.

Mr Close said paramilitaries must now observe the rule of law.

"Punishment beatings, all of this... the dregs of what has been happening throughout has got to end and end now," he said.

The early release scheme has paved the way for the establishment of a power-sharing executive in Northern Ireland.