THE release of Paul Magee had a sickening inevitability about it. No matter how hard the family of his victim Glenn Goodman campaigned, no matter how many worthies they met, their message never got through.

For eight years they have reiterated the same point. Magee gunned down Special Constable Goodman in cold blood. He was not acting on behalf of the IRA. This was not a terrorist killing. It had absolutely nothing to do with the political conflict in Northern Ireland.

It was a cowardly murder by an evil thug.

This was accepted in court. No mention of the IRA was made during Magee's trial. He was prosecuted, convicted and sentenced to life for murder.

But the politicians claim to know better than the courts. With one stroke of their pen they have overturned that verdict and transformed Magee into a political prisoner. It is a scandalous rehabilitation.

The peace process in Northern Ireland, though hugely important, is irrelevant in this case. Most people can only stomach the spectacle of terrorists walking free because they hope it will help to end the bloodshed. But no self-styled "freedom fighter" could claim the slaying an unarmed special constable to save his own skin is a legitimate part of any "struggle".

The letter that informed the Goodmans of Magee's release is nothing more than a repellent circular. Change the name of victim and perpetrator and it could have been sent to any family affected by the Good Friday Agreement.

It merely proves that the strenuous campaigning by Glenn's widow and parents has been tossed aside.

They have been treated abominably. Their loved-one gave his life for his country and they have not even been given a fair hearing.

Glenn's son will never know his father. Magee's family have him back after only seven years.

This is the second atrocity committed against the Goodman family.