The widow of Garda Jerry McCabe last night called on the Government to keep its promise not to grant early release to the four IRA members jailed for his killing.
Newspaper reports at the weekend suggested the four men could be released if the IRA ends its military operations and political agreement is achieved in the North.
The former minister for justice, Mr O'Donoghue, had previously written to Mrs Anne McCabe on behalf of the Government promising that her husband's killers would not qualify for early release.
Sinn Féin, however, has again claimed this week that the four men are covered by the terms of the Belfast Agreement and should be granted their freedom.
Speaking to RTÉ's Prime Time programme, Mrs Anne McCabe said: "They were convicted of manslaughter, and we had to take that, even though in my view it was murder. But when the issue came out into the public domain, and it was brought forward by IRA/Sinn Féin, we had to make contact with the Government as to the commitment they had given us. This is the commitment they gave us in writing, and so I don't believe they should qualify for early release."
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, hinted at the weekend that if the IRA ends all operations, the four men convicted of Garda McCabe's manslaughter could be eligible for release. Speaking to reporters, he said: "If we get to a fully comprehensive agreement, then that is an outstanding issue for the Irish Government to deal with, that is our position."
Mrs McCabe said on Prime Time: "Well, I believe in the commitment the Government has given me, that they won't be released, and that is that.
Pearse McCauley, of Strabane, Kevin Walsh, Michael O'Neill and Jeremiah Sheehy, all from Co Limerick, are currently serving sentences in Castlerea Prison.
In February 1999, the trial into Garda McCabe's killing ended dramatically when the accused men changed their pleas at the Special Criminal Court, Dublin.
They pleaded guilty to his manslaughter after they were re-arraigned at the request of prosecuting counsel, Mr Edward Comyn SC.
Garda McCabe was killed in Adare, Co Limerick, in June 1996.