A Sinn Féin TD who met garda killer Pearse McAuley on his release from prison says he does not regret it.

50-year-old McAuley was this month sentenced to 12 years in prison with four suspended for a frenzied attack on his wife.

She was stabbed 13 times.

McAuley was one of the IRA men jailed for the murder of detective garda Jerry McCabe.

Kerry TD Martin Ferris says he has no regrets over his 'duty' to collect McAuley upon his release in 2009.

However he says McAuley's actions are indefensible.