It is part of the deal made to get the Good Friday agreement. These deals have been struck for a lot of killers. Similar arrangements have been made in other countries with an immediately violent past.
Ideally, it is not what anyone would want, but think how many people haven't died in Northern Ireland and in Britain since 1998 as a result of this agreement. Like unpleasant and damaging medical treatment, if overall it keeps people alive and I think it was worth it.
Alphabetical girls and boys names January 2024